1
BURKINA FASO
Unity - Progress - Justice
United Nations
Development Programme
Global Environment
Facility
COUNTRY STUDY ON BURKINA FASO
BIODIVERSITY
CONDUCTED BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARIAT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE
MANAGEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OF
THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE MINISTRY IN
CHARGE OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
February 1999
2
COMPOSITION OF THE TEAM
Soumayila BANCE:
Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for the Management of
the Environment, Ministry in charge of Environment and water,
Co-ordinator;
Prosper SAWADOGO :
Permanent Secretary of the National Council for the Management of
the Environment, Ministry in charge of Environment and water,
Member ;
Lassané OUEDRAOGO:
Water and Forestry Head Office, Ministry in charge of Environment
and water, member;
Sylvie YAMEOGO/GAMENE: National Centre of Forestry Seeds, Ministry in charge of
Environment and Water, member;
Didier BALMA:
National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research, Ministry
of Secondary and Higher Education and Scientific Research, member;
Ouétan BOGNOUNOU:
National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research, Ministry
of Secondary and Higher Education and Scientific Research, member;
Louis OUEDRAOGO :
National Centre For Scientific and Technological Research, Ministry
of Secondary and Higher Education and Scientific Research, member;
Moussa OUEDRAOGO :
National Centre For Scientific and Technological Research, Ministry
of Secondary and Higher Education and Scientific Research, member;
Albert OUEDRAOGO :
Department of Studies and Planning, Ministry of Agriculture,
Member ;
Zowendé KOUDOUGOU :
Department of Pastoral and Land Development, Ministry of Animal
Resources, member ;
Jeanne Marie THIOMBIANO : Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, member ;
Omar TRAORE :
Department of Hydraulics, Ministry in charge of Environment and
water, member ;
Frédéric N. OUATTARA:
Department of National Meteorology, Ministry in charge of
Transport and Tourism, member;
Isaaka ZERBO :
Industrial Development Head Office, Ministry of Trade, Industry and
Handicraft, member ;
Abdou R. SAWADOGO:
Department of Studies and Planning, Ministry in charge of
Infrastructures, Housing and Urbanisation, member;
Published by the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for the Management of the Environment,
O1 P.O. Box 6486, OUAGADOUGOU 01, BURKINA FASO
Telephone: +(226) 31 24 64
Fax:
+(226) 31 64 91
3
CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF MAPS
Forward
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
USE OF TERMS
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER 1 : INTROOFCTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.3.1
1.3.2
1.4
1.4.1
1.4.2
1.4.3
6
7
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ...................................................................................................19
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...................................................................................................20
IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND BIOLOGICAL RESSOURCES 20
THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ................................................................20
THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...............................................................22
NATIONAL MONOGRAPHIES ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY .......................................22
INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT ................................................................................................22
NATIONAL CONTEXT .........................................................................................................23
DATA COLLECTION METHOD ...........................................................................................24
CHAPTER 2 : GENERAL SURVEY OF BURKINA FASO
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.4.1
2.4.2
2.4.3
2.4.4
2.4.5
2.4.6
2.4.7
2.4.8
2.5
2.5.1
2.5.2
2.5.3
2.5.4
2.6
2.6.1
2.6.2
2.6.3
2.6.4
2.6.5
2.7
2.7.1
2.7.2
2.7.3
2.7.4
2.8
2.8.1
8
9
11
12
13
19
24
REVIEW....................................................................................................................................24
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION ....................................................................................................24
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS ...........................................................................................25
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................27
CLIMATE ..............................................................................................................................27
RELIEF ..................................................................................................................................29
SURFACE GEOLOGY ...........................................................................................................30
HYDROGRAPHY ...................................................................................................................30
PHYTOGEOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................31
VEGETATION .......................................................................................................................33
SOILS ....................................................................................................................................35
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURES ..................................................................................................37
HUMAIN ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................................38
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION ..............................................................................................38
ETHNIC GROUPS ..................................................................................................................39
MIGRATIONS ........................................................................................................................40
LAND TENURE SYSTEM.....................................................................................................40
AGRICULTURAL REGIONS AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ...........................................42
NORTHERN REGION : THE SAHEL ....................................................................................42
CENTRAL REGION .............................................................................................................42
NORTH-WEST REGION .......................................................................................................43
EASTERN REGION ..............................................................................................................43
WESTERN REGION .............................................................................................................43
INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................44
STATE-OWNED INSTITUTIONS .........................................................................................44
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS....................................47
TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS ...........................................................................................47
SUB-REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED WITH OR
INTERESTED IN THE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES AND
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ............................................................................................................47
LEGAL REGULATIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTANABLE USE OF
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ....................................................................................................48
LEGAL ENVIRONMENTAL INSTRUMENTS IN FORCE .........................................................48
CHAPTER 3: CURRENT STATE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN BURKINA FASO 52
3.1
TAXONOMIC INVENTORY ...................................................................................................52
4
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.3
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.4
3.4.1
3.4.2
3.5
3.5.1
ANIMAL KINGDOM (FAUNA) ............................................................................................52
PLANT KINGDOM (FLORA) ................................................................................................55
TAXONOMIC SUMMARY OF THE INVENTORY OF SPECIES ..........................................58
DIVERSITY OF HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS...............................................................59
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HABITAT .............................................................59
ECOSYSTEMS .......................................................................................................................59
STATE OF THE CONSERVATION OF SPECIES AND POPULATIONS ...................................65
NON-BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................82
TOURIST SITES ....................................................................................................................82
MINERAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................................84
THREATS .................................................................................................................................84
GENERAL THREATS ...........................................................................................................84
SPECIFIC THREATS ...........................................................................................................86
SITUATION ON SETTING UP EX-SITU CONSERVATION ..............................................87
COLLECTIONS ......................................................................................................................88
CHAPTER 4 : COMPLEXITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
MANAGEMENT
95
4.1
INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS. ..........................................................................95
4.1.1
TRADITIONAL ORGANIZATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT. ...............95
4.1.2
STATE LEGISLATION ON NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ................................96
CHAPTER 5 : ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
98
5.1
GENERAL SURVEY OF HUMAN DÉVELOPMENT ............................................................99
5.2
SOCIO-ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY..........................................100
5.2.1
BENEFITS OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .........................................................................101
CHAPTER 6 : CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO A BETTER CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY
119
6.1
6.2
CONFLICTS RELATED TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ...........................119
OTHER DIFFICULTIES .........................................................................................................120
CHAPTER 7 : DEVELOPED PROGRAMMES AND PROSPECTS
121
7.1
PROGRAMMES AND RELATED COSTS............................................................................121
7.1.1
AGRICULTURE. SUB-SECTOR ............................................................................................122
7.1.2
ANIMAL BREERING SUB-SECTOR ..................................................................................123
7.1.3
ENVIRONMENT - FOREST - FAUNA - FISHING SUB-SECTOR ...........................................124
7.1.4
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS FOR PRESERVING BENEFITS .................................................126
7.1.5
EXPENDITURE RELATED TO CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE ....................126
CHAPTER 8 : CONCLUSIONS AND OPTIONS
129
8.1
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................................................129
8.2
PROPOSED OPTIONS ..........................................................................................................130
8.2.1
ECOLOGY .........................................................................................................................130
8.2.2
LIGNEOUS AND HERBACEOUS FOREST SPECIES ..........................................................130
8.2.3
AQUATIC PLANTS ............................................................................................................131
8.2.4
CULTIVATED FOREST PLANTS ......................................................................................132
8.2.5
AGRICULTURE ....................................................................................................................132
8.2.6
PHYTOGENETIC RESOURCES .........................................................................................133
8.2.7
PHARMACOPOEIA RESOURCES AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE .................................134
8.2.8
DOMESTIC FAUNA ...........................................................................................................134
8.2.9
WILD FAUNA………………………………………………………………………… ……….. .134
8.2.10
AQUATIC FAUNA ................................................................................................................135
8.2.10
INSECTS ............................................................................................................................136
8.2.11
MICRO-ORGANISMS ..........................................................................................................136
8.2.12
THEMATIC MAPS............................................................................................................137
8.2.13
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM ........................................................................137
8.2.14
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ........................................................................................137
8.2.15
PLANNING POLICIES AND STRATEGIES .......................................................................155
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APPENDICES ………………………………………………………………………………………139
APPENDIX 1 : LIST OF AUTHORS OF THE INITIAL REPORTS ................................................139
APPENDIX 2 : TAXONOMIC INVENTORY OF PRINCIPAL PHYLA OF BIOLOGICAL…….141
APPENDIX 3 : CHARACTERISTICS OF NOTICEABLE HUMID ZONES IN BURKINA FASO .....142
APPENDIX 4 : INDICATORS OF THE LEVEL OF HUMAN FROMVELOPMENT………….. 143
BIBLIOGRAPHY
144
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 : Types and characteristics of soils ____________________________________________________ 35
Table 2 : Road infrastructures classified by category and by region _________________________________ 36
Table 3 : Principal ethnic groups of Burkina Faso ______________________________________________ 38
Table 4 : List of laws and regulatory texts on the environment ______________________________________ 49
Table 5 : Summary of legal instruments currently in force in Burkina Faso. ___________________________ 49
Table 6 :Number of families and genres listed by category of virus __________________________________ 52
Table 7 :Number of families and genres by groups of bacteria _____________________________________ 52
Table 8 : Quantitative state of known entomological fauna in Burkina Faso___________________________ 53
Table 9 : Synthesis of the taxonomic state of the aquatic fauna _____________________________________ 53
Table 10 : Synthesis of the taxonomic inventory of the wild fauna ___________________________________ 54
Table 11 : Summary of the taxonomic study of domestic fauna _____________________________________ 54
Table 12 : Summary of the taxonomic study of aquatic flora _______________________________________ 55
Table 13: Recapitulation of the taxonomic inventory of aquatic herbaceous macro-flora_________________ 55
Table 14 : Summary of the taxonomic inventory of biological diversity- ______________________________ 57
Table 15 : Summary of the biological diversity according to the principal taxonomic groups _Error! Bookmark
not defined.
Table 16 : Distribution of ecosystems ________________________________________________________ 59
Table 17 : List of some functions of ecosystems ________________________________________________ 60
Table 18 : Distribution of types of plant formation ______________________________________________ 61
Table 19 : Distribution of land plant formation by phytogeographic zones ___________________________ 62
Table 20 : List of fauna reserves ____________________________________________________________ 67
Table 21 : Situation of classified formations ___________________________________________________ 69
Table 22 Synthesis of the taxonomic diversity of the indexed animal species in Burkina Faso. Error! Bookmark
not defined.
Table 23: Taxonomic synthesis of plant species indexed in Burkina Faso ______ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 24 : State of disappeared, disappearing, threatened, and vulnerable species at the national level _____ 71
Table 25 : Plant species in danger in the Northern and Central-North parts of Burkina Faso _____________ 72
Table 26 : West African rare and/or endemic species ____________________________________________ 73
Table 27: List of traditionally preserved species _______________________________________________ 75
Table 28 : Extent of soil occupation __________________________________________________________ 76
Table 29 : Acreage of occupation of farmlands according to class __________________________________ 76
Table 30 : Evolution of the share of the primary sector in the GDP in % from 1990 to 1995 Error! Bookmark
not defined.
Table 31 : The evolution of the GDP in US $ per inhabitant per decade from 1960 to 1994Error! Bookmark not
defined.
Table 32 : Level of development of Burkina Faso _________________________________________________
Table 33 : Plant products ___________________________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 34: Most utilised ligneous species in Burkina Faso __________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 35: Nutritive values of foliage of some ligneous fodder species ________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 36 : List of principal species of socio-cultural importance ____________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 37 : Ligneous species of sacred woods ____________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 38: Products and services derived from animal resources _____________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 39: Contribution of animal rearing to the GDP from 1985 to1995 ______ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 40: Beneficial actions of micro-organisms _________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 41 : Mode of managing biological diversity ________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 42 : Summary of expenditure (in millions of FCFA)__________________ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 43 : Synthesis of financial needs to be obtained by the programme framework of PANE for the
management of biological diversity _________________________________________________________ 125
Table 44 : Recapitulation of financial needs of projects in search of financing by the main ministries in charge
of biological diversity ____________________________________________________________________ 126
6
LIST OF MAPS
Map 1: Geographical location of the Burkina Faso
Map 2: Administrative division of Burkina Faso into 30 provinces
Map 3: Administrative division of Burkina Faso into 45 provinces
Map 4: Mean annual rainfall (1960-1986 period)
Map 5 : International catchment areas
Map 6 : Phytogeographic territories
Map 7: Types of vegetation (according to MELTING J., DIALLO A., OMPAORE J. TO, 1995
Map 8 : Means of communication
Map 9 : Population density by district and by km2 (INSD, 1985 census)
47
Map 10 : Hydrographic network and dams
Map 11 : Classified natural formations
Map 12 : The extent of occupation of farmlands
28
30
31
33
36
38
41
45
78
80
93
7
FOREWORD
Biological diversity is the unique capital for the survival of humanity. It maintains life on land
thanks to its ecological roles and as a supplier of subsistence products for living beings.
Biological diversity also contributes to the regulation and harmonisation of national, regional
and international social rapports, thanks to its scientific, technological, sociological, cultural
and educational uses.
Unfortunately nowadays, the constituent elements of the main components of biological
diversity, notably ecosystems, animal and plant species and genes, disappear at a rhythm that
compromises the obligation made to all generations to bequeath this heritage in good state to
future generations.
This first national monograph on the biological diversity of Burkina Faso globally aims at
collecting and analysing ecological, biological, economic and social data that will permit to
circumscribe the framework in which the development of the National Strategy and Plan of
action concerning biological diversity must be undertaken.
In this view, the present document presents, first of all, a state of the art on the biological
diversity in Burkina Faso, notably on the knowledge of its constituent elements, the
scheduling of its management, the economic aspects that ensues and the threats that weigh on
it, and next, draws up the important options able to encourage its conservation and sustainable
use. This document draws up the existing potentialities and the major preoccupations of
Burkina Faso in the matter of national biological diversity. It is the synthesis of nineteen (19)
sectorial thematic studies on questions related to biological diversity and its support, which
have been examined through broad discussions.
With its two (2) appendices, one on the systematic list of indexed species and the other on
parameters pertaining to these species, the present national monograph is, in our sense, a
strong instrument of information, education and orientation of actors and users of biological
diversity, for the perpetuation, while doing the harmonious integration of actions related to
natural resources, of the preliminary conditions to reach the objective of sustainable human
development.
We count on the commitment and determination of all, to reverse the deteriorating tendency
of the biological heritage of Burkina Faso.
OUAGADOUGOU, FEBRUARY 1999,
Salif DIALLO
MINISTER OF STATE
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
8
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
BDPA :
BF :
BUNASOL :
CAP :
CES/AGF :
CES/DRS :
CFD :
CIEH :
CILSS :
CIRAD :
CIRDES :
CIRP :
CNDA :
CNRST :
CNSF :
CONAGESE :
CRPA :
CRTO :
DNA :
DOET :
DPIA :
DRARA :
DSA :
EU :
FAO :
F CFA :
FED :
FEM :
GEF :
GEPRENAF :
ICRAF :
ICRISAT :
IDR :
IEMVT :
IGN :
INERA :
INSD :
IITA :
IPD/AOS :
IRAT :
IRBET :
MARA :
MAT :
MEE :
ORSTOM :
Agricultural Production Development Office
Burkina Faso
National Soils Office
Certificate of Professional Aptitude
Conservation of Waters and Soils/Agro-Forestry
Conservation of Waters and Soils/Defence and Restoration of Soils
French Development Fund
Inter - States Committee for Hydraulic Study
Inter - States Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel
International Centre for Research in Agronomy for Development
International Centre for Research Development of Animal Rearing in
Humid Zones
International Council for Phytogenetic Resources
National Centre for Agricultural Documentation
National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research
National Centre for Forest Seeds
National Council for Environmental Management
Regional Centre for Agro - Pastoral Promotion
Regional Remote Sensing Centre of Ouagadougou
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Directorate of the Organisation of Traditional Animal Rearing
Directorate of Animal Production and Industries
Regional Directorates of Agriculture and Animal Resources
Agricultural Services Directorate
European Union
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation
Franc of the African Financial Community
European Development Fund
Global Environment Fund (French Acronym)
Global Environment Fund
Participatory Management of Natural Resources and Fauna
International Centre for Agro-Forestry Research
International Centre for Research on Crops of Semi-arid
Tropical Zones
Rural Development Institute
Institute of Animal Rearing and Tropical Veterinary Medicine
National Geographic Institute (in France)
Environmental and Agricultural Research Institute (ex
Survey and Agricultural Research Institute)
National Statistical and Demography Institute
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture
Pan-African Institute for Development/ West Africa Sahel
Institute for Tropical Agronomic Research
Institute for Research in Tropical Biology and Ecology
Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources
Ministry of Territorial administration (Ministry of Interior)
Ministry of Environment and Water
French Institute of Scientific Research for Development in Cooperation
9
OCCGE :
OCDE :
ONAT :
ONG :
ORANA :
ORD :
OXFAM :
PANE :
PDAV :
PDRI/HKM :
PNB :
PNGT :
PNUD :
PNUE :
RAF :
SIG :
SOPAL :
SOSUCO :
SPA :
SATEC :
UICN :
UO :
USAID :
Organisation for Cooperation and Fight Against Important
Endemic Diseases
Organisation for Cooperation and Economic Development
National office of Soil Development
Non-Governmental Organisation
Organisation for Research on African Food and Nutrition
Regional Development Organisation
Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (NGO for struggle against famine)
National Environmental Action Plan
Village Agriculture Development Project
Integrated Rural Development Project /Houet-Kossi-Mouhoun
Gross National Product
National Programme for Soil Management
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environmental Programme
Agrarian and Land Reorganisation
Geographic Information System
Alcohols and Liqueurs Production Company
Sugar Company of Comoé
Provincial Services of Agriculture
Technical Assistance and Cooperation Company
International Union for Nature
University of Ouagadougou
United States Agency for International Development
10
Acknowledgement
This report is the result of a collective work undertaken with the participation of
representatives from various activity sectors at both central and decentralised levels dealing
with the management and use of biological diversity. The Permanent Secretary of the National
Council for the Management of the Environment and the executive summary team wish to express
their deepest gratitude to:

the political and administrative authorities of the Houet, Kadiogo and Sanmatenga
provinces for their warm welcome and for having organised the workshops for reviewing
the first draft of this report;

the officials and technicians from national and international institutions who supplied the
needed data for the completion of this report;

to the participants of the national and regional workshops who contributed a lot to enrich
and improve the quality of this document.
On behalf of the Burkinabè authorities, we thank UNPE, the Canadian Nature Museum and
UNDP very much for their technical advice which made the drafting and improvement of this
document possible.
We also extend our thanks to all individuals and legal entities that contributed to the drafting
of this report.
11
use of TERMS
Allogamy:
Therophytes:
Tradipractitioner:
Pollination of a flower by a pollen from another flower coming or not
from another plant.
Coleoptera that lays eggs in flower of peas and whose larvae eat the
seeds of this plant.
Flowerless, fruitless and seedless multi-cell plants (as opposed to
phanerogames).
Overall genes contained in the chromosomic D.N.A. of a living cell.
Generic term used to designate any plant that can be seen with the
naked eye (ant.: microphyte).
Used for plants whose terminal buds and sprouts are situated on stems.
Vegetation that grows on the banks of rivers.
Used for a plant that grows naturally in a region without being
introduced by man.
Annual plants.
A person practising pharmacopoeia and / or traditional medicine.
Vertisols:
Very clayey soils.
Beetles:
Cryptogames:
Genotypic:
Macrophytes:
Phanerophyte:
Riparian:
Spontaneous:
12
ABSTRACT
National monographs aim at collecting and analysing biological, economic and social data
which will enable to determine the framework for the development of national strategies and
plans of actions (PNUE, 1993).
Since the term “biological diversity” is relatively new, this report underlines the essential
characteristics of biological diversity for sustainable development.
This document about the situation in Burkina Faso, in terms of biological diversity, reveals
that praiseworthy actions have already been undertaken in the past but there is still a lot to do.
A total of nineteen (19) thematic studies dealt with the various issues related to the
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. These studies are concerned with the
overall information and results, which are presented in this report.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked Sudanese-Sahelian country, with a surface area of 274 200 Km²,
located in the heart of West Africa. Its population is about 9 190 000 inhabitants (INSD,
1991), with an annual population growth of 2.63%.
The present situation of the country’s biological diversity is characterised by the destructive
pressure of man and animals which mainly results in bush fires, shifting cultivation,
population pressure, overgrazing and excessive use of biological resources. In addition to
these man-caused factors there is the effect of successive droughts which have been occurring
since 1970. The conjunction of these two main factors lead to the accelerated deterioration of
biological diversity.
In order to deal with this trend, the country has undertaken or is still undertaking actions in
order to ensure the sustainable use of biological resources.
The results of the taxonomic inventories made in this national survey on biological diversity
are as follows:
13
1. Species
Table (i) below shows the situation of the inventory of species according biological diversity
elements.
Table (i): Situation of surveyed species
Fauna
Insects
1515
Reptiles
60
Birds
482
Mammals
139
Fishes
118
Amphibians
30
Shellfish
6
Molluscs
28
Zooplankton
16
Sub-total
2 394
Flora
Algae
191
Higher fungi
28
Herbaceous plants
812
Ligneous plants
376
Sub-total
1 407
TOTAL
3 801
14
2. Ecosystems:
In Burkina Faso there are three main types of ecosystems:
 Terrestrial ecosystems: 25 140 000 ha, or 91.22% of the country;
 Aquatic ecosystems: 72 500 ha, or 0.26% of the country;
 Intermediate ecosystems: 371 000 ha, or 1.34% of the country.
The rest of the country includes other types of environment, particularly dunes, towns, rocks
and roads.
3. Biological resources
The richest habitats of species (in terms of quantity and quality) amount to the various
conservation areas of terrestrial fauna (national parks, synergetic areas, biosphere reserves),
forest reserves, natural and artificial wetlands (ponds, lakes of dams, developed areas).
The overall data from the thematic studies conducted in response to the needs of this report
show the following contributions of biological diversity to the national economy in 1996.













wood: 177 394 million m3;
big fauna: 35 species whose inventory has not been exhaustive;
fisheries: 12 500 tons per year of which only 7 000 tons are utilised;
forest and fruit seedlings produced in nurseries: 12 million of which only four
million are planted;
cereals: 2 963 300 tons including 129 700 tons of rice;
peanut: 194 400 tons;
tubers: 41 170 tons;
fibre plants: 177 600 tons of cotton;
livestock (bovine, ovine, caprine, pigs, asine, equine, camelidae): 18 million heads
(animal breeding accounts for the equivalent of 12% of GDP and 16% of exports);
rabbits: 67 000 heads;
pets (dogs and cats): 900 000 heads;
poultry: 22 million heads;
non ligneous forest products (e.g. honey, shea kernels, neere seeds).
In addition, there is sight-seeing tourism which contributes to the national economy. In 1993
this contribution was 17 791 548 US dollars.
15
Some types and/or species of fauna and flora have an important economic value because of
the high profitability of the products they provide. They are, for example:
Cotton (fibre, seeds...)
Rice (human feed);
Tomato (human feed);
Cowpeas (human feed);
Sesame (oil, confectionery...);
Corn (human and animal feed);
Peanut (seeds, oil, drying of leaves for hay...);
Shea-tree (kernels, wood...);
Neere ( pulps and seeds used for making soumbala...);
Mango-tree (fruit);
Citrus fruit (fruit);
Cashew (nuts);
Tamarind (tamarind);
Soya (Soya milk, beans for making soumbala, Soya oil, cakes for animal feed...);
Red sorghum (sorghum beer, human feed);
Millet and white sorghum (human feed);
Sorrel (drink, seeds, fibres, sauce);
Medicinal plants;
Exotic vegetable plants;
Gum-bearing plants;
Edible higher fungi;
Livestock (proteins, foreign currency);
Wild animals (proteins);
Elephant (ivory);
Fishes (proteins);
Shea caterpillar (human feed).
Let us note that data figures have not been established yet for some products taken from
biological diversity. This is the case, for example, of pharmacological products and a lot of
non-ligneous forest products (e.g.: Most fruits picked up from spontaneous species, straw
used for thatching roofs, etc.).
4. Endemism
In Burkina Faso the situation of endemism at the level of flora and fauna is not well known;
Nevertheless, it was found that 23 vegetable species surveyed in Burkina Faso are endemic in
West Africa.
5. Threats
As far as threats on species are concerned, few inventories have been made because of the
relatively new situation of the attention paid to the various constituent components of the
country’s overall biological diversity.
However, it was found that losses in biological diversity are mainly due to the following
threats and trends:
16





bush fires and biotope destruction;
population pressure leading to the decrease of fallow;
Shifting cultivation and destruction of species and ecosystems;
poverty and recourse to the satisfaction of immediate needs;
climatic pejoration.
6. Endangered species
The number of endangered species is low, but this certainly does not correspond to reality,
since research work on their identification is recent and very little. Endangered species have
been numbered according to the following categories:





mammals: 8;
birds:
3;
reptiles:
2;
fishes:
1;
trees:
15.
7. Measures in favour of the conservation of biological diversity
The measures, in force, aiming at reversing the trend hinge on regulation, Programming,
planning and implementation of developmental action. The main items of these measures are:









Structural Adjustment Programme and its sectorial components;
National Plan of Action for the Environment (PANE);
Strategic plan for scientific and technological research;
Agrarian and Land Reform (RAF);
Environmental Code;
Forest Code;
Water Code
Mining Code;
Integrated Rural Development Programme.
8. Spending on conservation of biological diversity
According to official data, the implementation of the overall measures by governmental
structures during these five years (1992-1996) cost 230 579 million CFA francs (as far as
annual budgets and projects within the framework of the Public Investment Programme)
divided as follows: 11 433 million CFA F financed with the State’s own resources, 11 181
million CFA F born by self-financing of activities and 205 966 million CFA F from external
support (loans and subsidies). Besides these expenses, there is a substantial NGO financial
support to the management of renewable natural resources.
The financial need of the Burkinabè State to complement its own efforts amounts to 27 056
million CFA F for all actions within the framework of PANE (1994).
17
9. Options of conservation of biological conservation
With regard to the present situation of biological diversity, the following general options have
been put forward:

inform and sensitise more decision-makers and actors about the need to safeguard
biological diversity;
 make the whole population accountable for a good conservation and sustainable use
of biological diversity;
 deepen knowledge, including local know-how about biological diversity;
 strengthen national capacities in sustainable management of biological diversity,
particularly in the domain of training and appropriate infrastructures.
These options are part of State policy, which is based on decentralisation, and devolution of
power from the State to decentralised territorial communities, particularly in the area of
“Land Management”. Among the specific options which have been approved, the
following may be listed:
 increasing the participation of the population in combating desertification;
 settling young people in their communities through the generation of employment
in these environments;
 full participation of populations in decision making from bottom up
(decentralisation process);
 strengthening family education;
 strengthening environmental education;
 intensification of agricultural productions;
 development of knowledge on the constituent components of biological diversity.
18
cHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
The national monograph on biological diversity represents the foundation for the development
of national strategies and action plans concerning the conservation of biodiversity, the
sustainable use of its constituent components and the promotion of the fair and equitable
sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. Thus, the country study
is a reference document, which enables to measure the actual capacities of effective
management of biological resources in order to improve management approaches. Moreover,
it is a didactic tool of reference. However, the country study will have to be updated as new
important data on biological diversity is made available.
This study presents the natural environment of Burkina Faso, compiles the ecological,
biological and economic data arising out of the country’s biological resources, identifies the
threats to renewable resources of the environment and, finally, puts forward the options
required to reverse the negative trends on biological diversity. And to contribute to further the
knowledge on biological diversity, it was necessary to deal, in the first place, with the notion
of biological diversity in this study.
1.1 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The notion of biological diversity
The general public is very little familiar with the term “biological diversity”. Indeed, there are
many people who are wondering what biological diversity is. It was not until the end of the
seventies that the notion of biological diversity began to become a concern in informed
circles.
Yet, hardly time goes by without man benefiting from the good deeds of biological diversity.
For example, the foods deriving from plants and animals, clothes made from cotton and silk,
furniture made from wood, drugs manufactured from plant and animal extracts, etc., are good
deeds from biological diversity.
The word “diversity” designates the number, the variety and variability of living organisms
(OCDE, 1996. Préserver la diversité biologique).
The term “biology” deals with the manifestations of condition in the form of life, such as
genes (from DNA to gametes), plants (from algae to baobab tree), animals (from the virus to
the elephant or whale). Biology also deals with reactions to organisms, the ones with the
others (eg. : heat breaks down organisms, which can lead to the birth of other lives).
Ecology deals with the living conditions of living organisms and with the relationships they
establish between themselves. The result of these conditions and relationships constitutes a
unique functional system known as ecosystem.
The notion of “biological diversity” designates the varieties and/or the variability of
genes, species and ecosystems. Thus, the Convention on biological diversity defines
“biological diversity” in Article 2 as the “variability of living organisms of any origin,
including, among others, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and other aquatic ecosystems
and the ecological complexes they belong to; this comprises the diversity within species and
between species”.
19
Biological diversity is divided into three main components. They are :

Genetic diversity : hereditary variability contained in genes
(eg. : heredity related to form, size and colour of plants and
animals); biotechnology, genetic improvement and the
extraction of medicinal substances from plants and animals are
made possible thanks to the genetic materiel the latter contains;

Diversity of species : taxonomic differentiation of plants and
animals, including micro-organisms, as well as the
differentiations within species (varieties, breeds);

Diversity of ecosystems : variety of ecological systems
contributing to maintain forms of life (e.g. : ecosystems of
forests,
mountains, savannahs, marines and fresh water
ecosystems).
The number of the constituent components of biological diversity known today is very little as
compared with the diversity of what exists on our planet. According to scientists, only 1.7
million (OCDE , 1996 : Préserver la diversité biologique, p.20) of species are known in the
world out of a total of 12 million estimated nowadays. Therefore, man totally ignores all the
services that the rest of the unknown species may supply him, whereas, it has been established
that man derives from biological diversity the essential part of products for his life.
1.2 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The Convention distinguishes between biological diversity (see definition above) and
“biological resources” which are genetic resources, organisms or components of these
organisms, populations, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential
use or value for humanity. By way of illustration, the following examples can be given :
millet, rice, potato, yam, shea kernel, nere seeds, crocodile, tilapia, antelope, hare, ox, hen,
plant and animal varieties and breeds, forest, savannah, river, grasslands, fallows, etc. A
constituent component of biological diversity (a species for example) which man ignores the
use in his milieu may be a biological resource elsewhere, or become one later in the same
place. This is the reason why it is necessary to safeguard all the components of biological
diversity.
1.3 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
1.3.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Biological diversity is very important for humanity, because the survival of mankind depends
on it. In general, the services supplied by biological diversity can be sub-divided into five
categories :



The production of consumer goods (food, clothes, furniture, shelter, etc.);
The provision of medicinal products (plant and animal extracts);
The maintenance of plant and animal life (oxygen, climate, etc.);
20


Socio-cultural values (taboos, shrines, tales and folktales, customary symbols etc.);
Other services (scientific, technological, educational, recreational and aesthetic
uses, etc.).
As far as the three components of biological diversity are concerned, the following examples
of services can be given :



genes : their manipulation allows the development of new varieties, the increase in
the quality and yield of species and the increase in the resistance of some plants
and animals to diseases;
species : cereals, fruits, vegetables, tubers, animal and plant proteins contribute to
maintain life;
ecosystems : they contribute to the regulation of the climate and the load capacity
in the natural environment keep ecological balance, improve air and water quality,
eliminate wastes, favour the production and reproduction of species.
In short, biological diversity is the foundation of sustainable development. The following
development shows by way of illustration the importance of biological diversity for
sustainable development by sector.












Environment : regulation of water and the atmosphere, soil protection, soil
enrichment;
Agriculture :genetic material for the improvement of cultivated plants,
biotechnology, keeping humidity, prevention of erosion;
Forestry : genetic material, habitats for a great variety of species which can be
exploited as forestry products;
Livestock raising : genetic material;
Harvesting : gathering, hunting, game ranching;
Energy : water regulation, production of fuel wood;
Water supply : water regulation, infiltration of rain water;
Industry : source of genetic and biological raw materials for industrial
products;
Public health : medicinal products, climate regulation, living environment;
Teaching and research : nature, flora, fauna, genetic material;
Art : handicraft;
Culture and religion : rites, cultural and religious values.
The main importance of biological diversity lies not only at the level of the supply of
consumer goods, but also in terms of the varieties of these goods. Indeed, man’s needs in food
can be found in various products; for example starch is more concentrated in cereals, sugar is
provided by sugar cane, fats are plenty in groundnuts, and vitamins are more concentrated in
fruits. As a result, the diversity of food products is necessary in order to ensure a balanced
diet.
Moreover, it must be underlined that biological diversity abounds with constituent
components whose utility we ignore for the time being. As part of the implementation of the
Convention on Biological Diversity, more efforts are being made to improve the knowledge
of biological diversity, which will undoubtedly permit mankind to discover new services this
invaluable capital may supply to it.
21
1.3.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
As defined earlier, biological resources are the products of biological diversity directly
exploitable and/or profitable for man. Development depends on biological resources.
In effect, according to statistics, the economy of developing countries is based by more than
80% on biological resources, while that of developed countries is dependent on them by 45%.
In order to illustrate this fact, the following examples of kinds of activities depending on
biological diversity and which have obvious economic benefits may be cited : farming,
market gardening, livestock raising, cash crops, gathering, timber exploitation, hunting,
fishing, sight-seeing tourism, animal traction, biotechnology, the use of plant or animal
substances in the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacopoeia, etc.
Moreover, biological resources are particularly important at local, national and sub-regional
levels. It is an advantage when the biological resources at one’s disposal permit to enjoy
privileges as compared with the others. In this respect, the following examples may be
retained:

all soils, all zones or all regions are not good for the growing or raising of all
species;

most species are specific to well determined regions, zones or habitats;

the presence of eatable plant or animal species but hardly used represents an
alternative in time of famine or food shortage.
The presence and abundance of biological resources are therefore a main factor of
development, particularly, for a country like Burkina Faso whose economy is based
essentially on agriculture.
1.4 COUNTRY STUDIES ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
1.4.1 INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
The Nairobi Conference of May 1992 on the adoption of measures agreed on concerning the
Convention of Biological Diversity, took resolution 2, whereby it acknowledged the
importance of country studies on biological diversity as part of determining priorities to
develop strategies and action plans in view of the effective enforcement of the Convention.
Therefore, article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) makes it an obligation
for each contracting Party to develop national strategies, plans or Programmes aimed at
ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.
The object of country studies is to collect and analyse biological, economic and social data
which will permit to define the framework the development of national strategies and action
plans is part of (PNUE,1993).
More specifically, the country study compiles up-to-date data on the components of biological
resources, and on ecosystems, assesses from rational bases the basic costs and requirements
for the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its constituent elements, and
proposes actions in order to arrive at the effective enforcement of the terms of the
Convention.
22
The indispensable activities for the preparation of the country study are data collection on:
 constituent components of biological diversity;
 importance of biological ressources and their diversity;
 socio-economic issues;
 costs and current benefits related to biological resources;
 determination of weaknesses in terms of data;
 determination of main threats and required solutions.
At the level of existing institutions, the country study helps, therefore, to improve the
definition and effective planning of actions, as well as the rational and sustainable
management capacities of biological resources. It is a renewable tool, that is to say, it has to
be improved periodically as the evaluation of undertaken measures are made and new data are
made available.
1.4.2 NATIONAL CONTEXT
Since the big droughts of the 1970’s, Burkina Faso developed strategies, action plans and
Programmemes destined to rehabilitate a socio-economic and ecological balance susceptible
of contributing to food self-sufficiency and to permit to begin the sustainable development
process.
In Burkina Faso, activities undertaken in terms of knowledge and management of biological
diversity are usually isolated, so that the results deriving from them remain scattered and
ignored, while the Convention on Biological Diversity stresses a reliable, concerted and
global management of biological resources.
Among the main current political orientations concerning agricultural development on which
the country’s economy depends, there are two options directly applying to biological
diversity. These are:


the increase in productivity through the dissemination of intensive production
technologies;
the fight against the deterioration of natural resources by particularly taking required
measures in land domain and by giving more responsibility to grassroots actors.
Burkina Faso ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity on September 2, 1993. This tool
entered into force in December 1993. Since then, the country undertook the enforcement of
the terms of this Convention, including the development of national strategies and action
plans on biological diversity. Thus, the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for the
Management of the Environment (SP/CONAGESE) was established, with as main mission
the promotion of the integration of the fundamental principles of the protection of the
environment into the economic, social and cultural development process of Burkina Faso.
Therefore, CONAGESE’s permanent secretary co-ordinates and participates in the
implementation of conventions and agreements related to the environment. For this purpose, a
Technical Committee was set up under its aegis with the responsibility of co-ordinating
actions for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity.
With the support of the United Nations Programme for the Environment (UNPE), Burkina
Faso obtained a financing from the Global Environment Facility (FEM) to undertake the
23
project "Élaboration de la monographie sur la diversité biologique du Burkina Faso" (Country
Study of Burkina Faso’s Biological Diversity). The object of this project is to collect and
analyse biological, economic and social data to serve as the basis for the development of
national strategies and actions, as well as sectoral plans on biological diversity.
1.4.3 DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY
The present report is a summary of the sectoral studies undertaken on the country study on
Burkina Faso’s biological diversity. It takes into account, on the one hand, UNDP’s main
guidelines concerning country studies on biological diversity and, on the other hand, the
methodology recommended in the report of the international expert following the launching
workshop of the development process of the aforesaid country study.
Information collection actually began in February 1996, the activities concerning the
development of the drafting of this document started in January of the same year. Data were
collected through :





visits and discussions with officials and technicians of governmental institutions and
international institutions working in the domain of the conservation and/or use of
biological diversity;
visits to Non-Governmental and private structures interested in biological diversity;
interviews with private resource people;
consultation of documents (books, publications, papers, activity reports, doctorate
theses, study reports);
consultation of national collections.
The collection of data was supported by studies on the following themes: socio-economy,
policy and strategy concerning the environment, ethnobotanics, ligneous forestry plants,
herbaceous plants, phytogenetic resources, agriculture and livestock raising, plant
reproduction of domesticated species, environmental legislation, entomology, aquatic plants,
wildlife, aquatic fauna, land use, ecology, microbiology, geographical information system.
The list of authors, as well as the tittles of reports issued, is presented in appendix 1.
This report is the summary of these studies and the related observations made by three (3)
regional workshops, one (1) national workshop and resource people and competent technical
services.
The data collected through the thematic studies are certainly not exhaustive because of the
dispersal of information in different structures. Moreover, some data are not up-to-date (e. g.:
the data about censuses are from 1991, those on migrations from 1992). However, other data
collected are relatively recent; it is the case of the natural vegetation map and land use (1995).
24
CHApter 2: a GENERAL SURVEY OF BURKINA FASO
2.1 HISTORY
According to the periodical edition of “ATLAS JEUNE AFRIQUE”, 1993, the country was
structured and organised before the French occupation that lasted from 1896 to 1960: a
supreme chief the “Mogho-Naba”, i.e. the Mossi king, ruled “The Mossi Empire of
Ouagadougou”. Called Upper-Volta (because located upstream of the big river “the Volta”)
after the arrival of the French, the country was divided between Mali, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire
in 1932 and will not recover its autonomy and its borders until 1947. Upper-Volta became
independent on August 5, 1960, and on August 4, 1984, the Republic of Upper-Volta was
given the name “Burkina Faso”, which means “the Land of Honest People”.
2.2 GEOGRAPHIC SITUATION
Burkina Faso is a landlocked Sudanese and Sahelian country situated in the heart of West
Africa. It is located between north of latitude 9°20’ and 15°3’, east of longitude 2°20’ and
west of longitude 5°3. With an area of 274 200 km2, the country is limited in the east by
Niger, in the north and north-west by Mali, in the south by Ghana, in the south-west by Côted’Ivoire, in the south-east by Benin and Togo (Map 1)
Map 1: Geographical situation of Burkina Faso
25
2.3 ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
In 1996, Burkina Faso was divided into 45 provinces, each under the leadership of one (1)
Haut Commissaire (highest ranking political and administrative official of the province). The
data of the present study were collected from the former administrative division, which
included a total of 30 provinces. The provinces are divided into districts under the authority of
prefects. Districts are sub-divided into villages led by Traditional Chiefs. The whole country
has a total of 355 districts and 8 500 villages. Maps 2 and 3 respectively show the old and
new division of the country into provinces.
26
Map 2 : Division of Burkina Faso into 30 provinces
Map 3 : Administrative division of Burkina Faso into 45 provinces
27
2.4 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
2.4.1 CLIMATE
In general, Burkina Faso is characterised by a tropical climate of the Sudanese and Sahelian
type, with two alternating seasons: a long dry season from October to April and a short rainy
season from May to September. The majority of the country is situated in the climatic zone of
Sudanese type, particularly the centre and the south, whereas the extreme south and the southwest are part of the Sudanese and Guinean zone. The northern part is under the influence of
the Sahelian climate.
A study of climatological records covering the period from 1961-1990 (see Atlas Jeune
Afrique, 1993, and Atlas Agro-climatologique des pays de la zone du CILLS) revealed that in
Burkina Faso:







temperatures are always higher than zero degree °C, no matter the time of the year;
monthly average temperatures rarely go beyond 35 °C ;
variations in thermal amplitude are more pronounced in the north than in the south
of the country;
the relative humidity of air is low with a high evaporative demand in the dry
season which may be more than 10 mm of water a day;
rainfall varies from 300 mm in the extreme north to 1100 mm in the extreme south
and south-west;
the rainy season begins sporadically as early as April in the south before covering
all the country in June;
the end of the rainy season occurs quickly by the end of September in the north
and by the end of October in the south.
In comparison with the period from 1951 to 1960, one notices a clear decline in the
average of rainwater quantities for the period 1961-1990, which falls from 400 mm to 300
mm in the north and from 1300 mm to 1100 mm in the south. Map 4 shows the present
isohyets for all the country.
28
Map 4: Average rainfalls (period 1960-1986)
2.4.2 RELIEF
The majority (about 75%) of the Burkinabè territory rests on Precambrian crystalline platform
turning the overall relief flat. The average altitude is 400 m, while the highest altitudes range
between 125 m in the south-east (Pama region) and 749 m in the south-west (Ténakourou
Peak). Two main topographic domains cover the territory of the country: a large peneplain
covering 3/4 of the country and a sandy massif in the south. Besides these two domains, one
can notice a few specific forms of relief such as dunes, chains of hills and/or small mountains,
crusted tables and a few cliffs.
29
2.4.3 SURFACE GEOLOGY
The main geological data collected in Burkina Faso are follows:




the existence of a granito-gneissic platform dating from the Precambrian age
which covers the majority of the country (particularly the centre and east);
the existence of sandstone massif rich in aquifers in the west towards Mali;
the presence of fossil sandy bars in the Sahelian region oriented from east to
west;
the presence in the Central Plateau of a Birrimian arch characterised by green
rocks constituting a series of more or less pronounced reliefs breaking away
from the overall monotony of the landscape.
2.4.4 HYDROGRAPHY
The country’s surface water resources are estimated at 10 billion m3 per year, while ground
water resources are evaluated at more than 6 billion m3 per year (OUEDRAOGO N. A.,
1996).
The hydrographic network, which drains all the waters, includes three big international basins
of uneven importance bearing the names of the main streams draining them (Map 5). These
are :



the Volta basin : it covers an area of 178 000 km², fed by the Mouhoun,
Nakambé and Nazinon rivers, formerly called respectively Volta Noire, Volta
Blanche and Volta Rouge, and covers the central part of the country;
the Comoé basin : with an area of 1 700 km² is fed by the Comoé river and its
affluents, the Léraba and Yanon and covers the south-west of the country;
the Niger basin: with a total of 79 000 km² is fed by the affluents of River
Niger in the east by the Bali, Garouol, Sirba, Gouroubi, Diamangou and the
Tapoa, and in the west by the Banifing.
In general, most of the streams have a seasonal flow. There are only three perennial streams
but non-navigable all year. They are: the Mouhoun, the Comoé, and the Pendjari. The
following streams have a seasonal or intermittent flow: the Nazinon, the Nakambé and the
Sirba. Perennial water bodies include natural lakes (Bam and Dem), the Hippopotamuses
Pond, the Oursi Pond, and artificial lakes of which two, Kompienga and Bagré, are big water
bodies with a marked hydroelectric vocation.
30
Map 5: International catchment areas
2.4.5 PHYTOGEOGRAPHY
The phytogeographic domains take into account the vegetation and flora of the region
concerned. In general, they correspond to the distribution areas of the main physiognomic
types of vegetation (biomes or plant formations) recognised, as well as to the distribution
areas of the main floral groups which characterise them in families or taxons (OUADBA J.
M., 1997).
The main current phytogeographic features of Burkina Faso are:


the Sahelian domain : it is arid and covers the northern part of the country with
a rainfall < 600 mm;
the Sudanese domain: it is less arid and covers the rest of the country and
receives a rainfall >700 mm.
31
In detail, one distinguishes from north to south a sub-Sahelian transition zone, a northSudanese zone and a south-Sudanese zone. The phytogeographic zones are divided into
sectors and districts. (Map 6).
Map 6: Phytogeographic territories
32
2.4.6 VEGETATION
The natural vegetation of Burkina Faso has been the object of many studies. The studies by
GUINKO S. (1984) "Végétation de Haute-Volta" represent a reliable reference. Recently,
CNSF studies on the ecological units of the vegetation have provided further useful
precisions. Finally, the most recent studies dealing with vegetation cartography and land use
in Burkina Faso (FONTES J., DIALLO A., COMPAORE J. A., 1995) constitute an up-to-date
source of information, which is useful for the development of the country study on biological
diversity (GEOCONSEIL, 1996). Map 7 shows the natural vegetation.
2.4.6.1 Vegetation of the Sahelian domain
On the whole, it is a grassy, bushy, shrubby and thicket steppe usually quite sparse. Ligneous
species may come together locally to form more or less penetrable bushes.
In the north of the fourteenth parallel, the north Sahelian sector stands out alone characterised
by a batch of Saharan and Sahelian species which are found very rarely in the sectors further
south. Among others, one can cite: Acacia ehrenbergiana, Acacia nilotica variety tomentosa,
Acacia raddiana, Grewia tenax, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Maerua crassifolia, Salvadora
persica, for the ligneous species. This steppe includes thin riparian bars predominated by
Anogeissus leiocarpus, Mitragyna inermis, Acacia ataxacantha and Acacia seya dominentl.
The south Sahelian sector covers the thirteenth and fourteenth parallels. The Saharan and
Sahelian based flora species enriches itself with Sudanese components. The vegetation
physiognomy is always the steppe type, even if the thirteenth parallel clearly demarcates the
extension limit of savannahs north. The most common ligneous species of this sector are:
Acacia laeta, Acacia nilotica adansonii variety, Acacia senegal, Boscia salicifolia,
Commiphora africana, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Pterocarpus lucens and Grewia flavescens.
The following Sudanese and very ubiquitous species are quite well represented in this sector:
Acacia macrostachya, Combretum glutinosum, Combretum nigricans elliotii variety. They
particularly form the composition of the bushes or "spotted bushes" associated with
Pterocarpus lucens and Dalbergia melanoxylon.
2.4.6.2 Vegetation of the Sudanese domain
It develops south of the thirteenth parallel. The Sudanese savannahs gradually take over the
steppe formations. At the same time that the herbaceous ground cover fills out higher the
ligneous species increase. From north to south, global improvement axis of hydric conditions,
the physiognomy of the savannah can become in succession herbaceous, shrubby, bushy and
thicket to tend eventually towards a clear forest in the extreme south-west. The densification
of the herbaceous plant material favours the annual passage of fires considered as a powerful
factor for the maintenance of such a formation.
Between the thirteenth and fourteenth parallels the Sudanese-north sector stands out alone. It
is a very highly populated sector and the savannah shows a regular rustic landscape of park
type, predominated by big trees belonging to the protected agro-forestry species such as:
Acacia albida, Adansonia digitata, Butyrospermum paradoxum subsp. parkii, Lannea
microcarpa and Tamarindus indica.
33
In the grassy stratum, the share of perennial species intensifies. In the ligneous stratum, one
always notices a more important shrubby stratum where combretaceae are well represented.
The most regular species are: Acacia dudgeoni, Acacia gourmaensis, Acacia seyal, Bombax
costatum, Combretum micranthum, Combretum glutinosum Combretum nigricans, Grewia
bicolore, Guiera senegalensis and Sterculia setigera.
Despite their small extent, it is important to note the presence of dry pockets of dense forests
constituting "sacred woods". These woods represent vestiges of ancient forest climates saved
from clearing because they were protected by customary practices. They are predominated by
Anogeissus leiocarpus, Diospyros mespilifomis, Celtis integrifolia, Acacia pennata and
Pterocarpus erinaceus.
The Sudanese-south experiences the less xeric climates of Burkina Faso. It includes the
densest forestry formations. GUINKO S (1984) subdivided this sector into (4) districts where
a common Sudanese floral deposit is found and which are associated with Guinean riparian
species such as Cola laurifolia, Manilkara multinervis, Elaeis guineensis, Dialium guineense
and Antiaris africana. It is agreed to define this sector as that of Isoberlinia doka, a
cesalpiniaceae characteristic of Sudanese and Guinean savannahs. A succession of ligneous,
wooded or shrubby species can be associated with it. Let us cite: Acacia polyacantha subsp.
campylacantha, Acacia sieberiana, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Burkea africana, Daniellia oliveri,
Khaya senegalensis, Parkia biglobosa. To this non-exhaustive list must be added more
Guinean species often associated with the hydrographic network.:Carapa procera,
Chlorophora excelsa, Monodora tenuifolia, Voacanga africana. Map 7 shows all the types of
vegetation of Burkina Faso.
34
Map 7: Types of vegetation (according to Fontes, Diallo et Compaoré, 1995 )
2.4.7 SOILS
The soils of Burkina have been the object of many studies. But, ORSTOM and BUNASOL
particularly conducted the greatest number. Thus, the entire territory of Burkina Faso was
covered to 1/1500,000. These documents are important and they constitute the basis of most
researches in pedology in the country today.
In a nutshell, it can be said that the national territory is covered by soils with a relatively poor
level of fertility, particularly in phosphorous and nitrogen, and a limited water reserve. They
suffer very acutely from the phenomenon of runoff and from hydric and wind erosion.
Pedological studies undertaken in Burkina Faso mention nine main types of soils which are as
follows: raw mineral soils, hardly developed soils, vertisols, isohumic soils, brown soils,
ferrallitic soils, soils with iron and manganese sesquioxyde, hydromorphic soils and sodium
soils or salsodium soils. The main types of soils encountered in Burkina Faso are presented in
table 1.
35
Table 1 : Types and characteristics of soils
Types of soils
% Situation
Constraint
Potentialities
1. Mineral
Soils
2. Hardly
developed
soils
3
Null to low agricultural
interest
Coarse texture, low
availability in water, poor
in organic matter, N and P
Grazing area
Spread everywhere
26 Spread everywhere,
particularly the Poni ,
Sanguié and Mouhoun
provinces
3. Vertisols
6
4. Isohumic
soils
-
5. Brown soils
6
6. Soils with
iron and
manganese
sesquioxydes
39 Widely spread
7. Ferrallitic
Soils
2
8. Sodium or
Salsodium
Soils
9.
Hydromorphic
Soils
Some parts are rich in
Ca et Mg, terrace
cultivation
Provinces of Sourou,
Heavy in humid condition, Good capacity of water
Oudalan, Sissili , Sanguié hard in dry condition,
retention, rich in
and Boulgou
deficit in N.P.K.
minerals, suitable for
the cultivation of
maize, sorghum,
millet, cotton and rice
Sourou, and Oudalan
Mediocre physical
Good capacity of water
provinces (in fixed ergs property, low availability retention, high mineral
and depressions)
of water, low content in
resources, suitable for
N.P.K.
the cultivation of
cotton, maize and rice
west, south-west and
Possible case of
Quite good mineral
centre of the country
hygromorphy
resources, food crops,
cotton and sugar cane
Massive structure of
induration, low content of
nutrients
Provinces of Houet,
Low water reserve, poor in
Kénédougou, Comoé and Mo, N, P and exhangeable
Mouhoun (Bondokuy)
bases, contains
exchangeable Al
5. Centre-south, centreMassive structure,
north and east regions
tendency toward
alkalisation
13 Along rivers and streams Hydromorphy
Cultivation of cereals,
leguminous plants and
arboriculture
Cultivation of millet
and leguminous plants
and arboriculture
Cultivation of cereals
and cash crops after
improvement
Cultivation of
sorghum, (rainfed) and
out of season crops
Al: aluminium; N: nitrogen; P: Phosphorous; K: potassium; M: molybdenum, M: magnesium
36
2.4.8 ROAD INFRASTRUCTURES
Burkina Faso now owns a road network of 12 506 km of which 726 are tarred. Table 2 below
presents the situation of road infrastructures classified according to category and region.
Table 2: Road infrastructures classified according to category and region
Classified
region
Ouagadougou
BoboDioulasso
Ouahigouya
Fada
N’Gourma
Dédougou
Dori
Léo
Gaoua
Kaya
Tenkodogo
Total
Category of roads in km
National
912.8
864
Regional
135
429
District
361.9
632
Unclassified
101.9
123
Total
1 511.6
2 048
600.4
694.8
428.2
216
75.2
424
112
170
1 215.8
1 504.8
660.4
104.6
361.4
512
418.2
481.5
5 610.1
306
513.2
313.6
58
292.6
290.1
2 982
770.1
226
130.1
325
42.5
25
3 011.8
None
None
80.4
315
None
None
902.3
1 736.5
843.8
885.5
1 210
753.3
796.6
12 506
37
Map 8 Communications
2.5 HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
In Burkina Faso, the determining human factors can be summarised in the following terms:
high population growth, irregular distribution of population density with high rates in some
parts of the country; the highest rates are found in the provinces of Kadiogo, Houet,
Kouritenga, Oubritenga, Yatenga, Comoé, etc. Burkina Faso is subject to important internal
and external population migrations. The population is characterised by an important ethnic
diversity (sixty in total) and an important inter-mixing.
2.5.1 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
The population of Burkina Faso is 9 190 000 inhabitants according to the population census
conducted in 1991 (OUEDRAOGO N. A., 1997), with an annual growth rate of 2.63%. The
resident population in 1985 was 7 964 705 inhabitants. Compared with that of 1991, it
increased by 15% in six (6) years. Considering the importance of the Burkinabè community
living abroad (more than 2 million), we can infer that the country comprises more than
10 000 000 inhabitants.
According to the Atlas Jeune Afrique, the distribution of the Burkinabè population shows
some disparities ranging from 11 inhabitants per km2 (provinces of Oudalan, Gourma, Tapoa)
to 122 inhabitants per km2 (province of Kouritenga). The average density for all the country is
33 inhabitants per km2. However, the centre of the country called the Mossi land experiences
a high population concentration, which led to an overexploitation of natural resources
resulting in the degradation of the environment and a loss of biological diversity. The main
big urban centres are : Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Ouahigouya, Koudougou, Banfora.
Map 9 below gives an idea about the distribution of the population. The State is trying to
solve the population problem through a family education Programme.
38
Map 9: Population density according to district per km2 (INSD, 1985. Census)
2.5.2 ETHNIC GROUPS
In Burkina Faso, there are about sixty coexisting ethnic groups predominated by the Mossi,
Fulani and Bobo-Dioula ethnic groups. The main economic activity of the Fulani is livestock
raising, while the majority of the rest of the peasant population constitutes farmers. But more
and more we are experiencing a combination of both activities by the former as well as the
latter because of the climatic variations. Table 3 shows the distribution of the main ethnic
groups according to their importance in percentage of the total population. Three national
languages are widely spoken in the country. They are in rank of order the More, Dilua and
Fulfuldé (Fulani) languages
Table 32: Principal ethnic groups of Burkina Faso
Ethnic groups
%
Mossi
48%
Fulani
10%
Lobi
7%
Samo
7%
Bobo
7%
Sénoufo
6%
Gourounssi
5%
Gourmantché
5%
Bissa
5%
Source: J.J. Kessler et C. Geerling, 1994
39
2.5.3 MIGRATIONS
The population of Burkina Faso experiences an important migration at both internal and
external levels. The average ratio between internal and external migrations is as follows: out
100 migrant people, 71.2 % migrate inside the country and 28.8% abroad.
External migrations occur towards those countries where labour demand is high. It is actually
difficult to give precise figures of Burkinabès living abroad.
Internal migrations occur towards both urban centres (rural exodus) in search of employment
and from some rural areas towards other areas that are relatively prosperous for agricultural
activities (rural migrations).
Rural migrations occur as follows:

individual or collective departures occurring from usually infertile and
overpopulated regions (e. g. : the central plateau or Mossi land) towards more
fertile and hardly exploited areas; the main host provinces are those of Houet,
Mouhoun, Gourma, Tapoa, Kossi and Sissili;

spontaneous departures towards places where there are real possibilities of
earning more substantial incomes (e. g. : gold sites), noticed in the provinces of
Sanmatenga, Passoré, Séno and Soum;

State organised migrations towards areas developed for agricultural
exploitation; they concern the developed plain of the Sourou province and the
plain of the Kompienga and Bagré dam and the Kou valley.
The settlement of populations in these areas is anarchic. However, as far as organised
migrations are concerned, the National Office in charge of Land Development (ONAT) is
trying to organise the settlement of migrants.
The growth rates of migrations in host provinces between 1975 and 1985 were as follows :
88% for the Houet province, 44% for Mouhoun, 73% for the Tapoa, 64% for the Kossi and
106% for the Sissili (J.J. Kessler et C. Geerling, 1994).
2.5.4 LAND TENURE SYSTEM
According to OUEDRAOGO N., 1997, three land systems which coexisted in Burkina Faso
can be distinguished. They are as follows: customary land system, colonial land system and
post-colonial land system.
2.5.4.1
The customary land system
The customary land system is almost the same everywhere in Burkina Faso. It is based on the
collective ownership of land. The collective ownership of land is exercised by the land
custodian (known as Tengsoba for the Mossi, Tarfolo for the Sénoufo, Susunnbaso tinibaso
for the Bwaba etc. (OUEDRAOGO S. 1993). In all customs the land custodian is the closest
descendant of the first settler. In this capacity, he administers the land patrimony of the group
in the interest of all the community. He distributes land or he authorises land use, following
the indispensable rites, by households and individuals that require it and in accordance with
40
their needs. Thus, the applicant acquires a user right, which must not be mistaken for
ownership right in the Western sense of the term. However, after the death of the applicant his
heirs will settle and exploit the same land without the land custodian intervening anew. This
land is available for the whole community for any possible use in case no heir claims it. Land
is given provisionally to strangers (non-natives) even if this provision may be permanent.
Therefore the right accorded to the stranger is precarious, hence the notion of land insecurity
for migrants. In this case, land is simply lent, often following royalties in kind or
performances of various services. Security imperatives require that the applicant be first
socially integrated. However, except in rare cases, land cannot be refused to an applicant
according customary law. Therefore the customary land system is complex in practice.
At the economic and social levels, it must be acknowledged that the customary land system,
with all its utilisation nuances, opposes creative investments or dissuades them through the
almost permanent insecurity as far as individual use is concerned. In this system, land is not
given to those who have the necessary means to develop it, but to those who won the
confidence of the owning social group, and what is more, on a provisional basis.
2.5.4.2
The colonial land system
This system is essentially based on private ownership while making provision for a public
estate. Private estate is acquired through purchase, exchange, gifts or legacies, etc. Public
estate is made up of natural properties such as hills, rivers, natural or artificial lakes (roads,
artificial water bodies, etc.). This system was resisted to by the customary land system.
2.5.4.3
The post-colonial land system
The land system in force now is based on the agrarian and land reform (RAF), adopted in
1984, which grants user rights to individuals and moral entities.
It makes provision for a national land including all the lands within the borders of Burkina
Faso, no matter their former status or legal systems. State property is inalienable, unseizable
and imprescriptible. In addition to ownership right, the State assigned itself that of
management. In this way, it defines rights for groups and individuals. It should be pointed out
that the settlement and exploitation of rural lands by peasants for subsistence are free.
The RAF so designed shatters the mystic aura of land and takes away from peasants their
references and customary value systems by leading them to practise new farming techniques
(protection and restoration of soils, fertilisation, etc.). This law particularly aimed at making
land available to those willing to develop it, and at organising the rational management of this
resource which has become in the end scarce in Burkina Faso.
Therefore, this land system aims at favouring the development of productive agricultural
forces. However, it does not encourage populations to make sustainable investments and a lot
of resistance to its enforcement can be noticed.
41
2.6 AGRICULTURAL REGIONS AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Many regional divisions of Burkina Faso were made by the technical services of ministerial
departments (MARA, MEE, MAT...) following precise specific objectives. The agricultural
zones described here are those determined by INERA.
2.6.1 THE NOTHERN REGION: THE SAHEL
It covers the majority of the Burkinabè Sahel and includes the Sahel provinces of Oudalan and
Soum. It is the driest region of the country. The rainy season, which lasts approximately three
months extends from June to September. Rains are erratic and the total rainfall in a year is
hardly more than 600 mm. Evapotranspiration there is very high and is combined with high
amplitudes of temperatures during the day and at night.
By tradition, it is a livestock zone. Millet is the main crop, while white sorghum comes
second. There are almost no rotation crops. Fallowing decisions are dependent on the
displacement of animal habitat or penning (KAFANDO P., 1995). Night penning of animals
on plots after harvests constitutes the main form of soil fertilisation. The inputs of chemical
fertiliser are negligible. Animal traction, which has been introduced by vulgarisation agents, is
not yet generalised. However, in the Soum there are a few hitches with donkeys and camels.
Usually agricultural work is manual in this region where the margin of manoeuvre of
producers is narrow as far as the choice of cropping and production system is concerned.
2.6.2 THE CENTRAL REGION
It covers the following provinces: Sanmatenga, Namentenga, Oubritenga, Boulkiemdé,
Sanguié, Kadiogo, Ganzourgou, Bazèga, Zoundwégo, Sissili and Nahouri. It extends to
almost all the central plateau, with an annual rainfall ranging from 600 mm in the north to 900
mm in the south. Unequally distributed, rains spread over 4 to 6 months. Agriculture in this
region is mainly rain fed.
Due to its high population density, this region experiences serious problems of environmental
degradation resulting from the overexploitation of its meagre resources. The population
pressure in the centre is such that there is practically almost no fallow anymore. Therefore,
soil fertility is not restored, accelerating in this way its degradation and aggravating the
adverse effects of wind and hydric erosion. The inputs of fertilisers to make up for and
restore crop exploitations are weak. This system of land use gradually leads to soil depletion,
hence the notion of land overexploitation
Farming systems in the regions are based on cereals like in the east. Sorghum and millet come
first, i.e. about 80 % acreage, followed by groundnuts and quite far behind maize.
The introduction of animal traction dates back from the 1960’s. In general, the use of traction
equipment is limited to ploughing before planting, particularly for cash crops (groundnuts and
cotton). It cannot be said that animal traction is a characteristic of this region as most farming
activities are still done manually. Local varieties of sorghum and millet are still preponderant.
Recourse to improved seeds concerns only groundnut and rice.
42
As a result of the many water bodies in the central regions, market gardening is developing.
Since it is an out of season activity, producers have the opportunity to get to work and
increase their incomes.
2.6.3 THE NORTH-WESTERN REGION
It includes the provinces of Bam, Passoré, Yatenga and Sourou. This region is characterised
by a rainfall, which varies between 600 mm in the north to 800 mm in the south. The
dominant economic activity is livestock raising, with, however, animal numbers less than
those of the Sahel and the central regions. But the degradation of the climatic conditions
obliged producers to adapt themselves. In this sense farming systems in this region are now
based on the couple millet-sorghum (white). Groundnut comes in third position. Pedoclimatic conditions offer producers of this region little choice in terms of crop diversification.
Croplands are lacking and they are continuously used under rotations: millet-sorghumgroundnut However, it can be noticed that farmers are making efforts to overcome this
hostility of nature. It is one of the regions, where the use of organic manure (animal manure
and excreta), in association with the use of straw, is quite common. In provinces such Yatenga
and Passoré, the Zaï (improved traditional technique) is used to restore deteriorated land.
Although the introduction of animal traction goes as far as the beginning of independence
(BDPA and SATEC intervention), this practice is also constrained for many reasons : soil
fragility, high costs, maintenance of draught animals. As a result, farming activities still
remain manual. In the north-western region, it is worth noticing the existence of the Sourou
valley, which provides great opportunities for the cultivation of irrigated rice, maize and
market gardening. With irrigation, producers undertake two campaigns of rice and earn
substantial incomes. It must be noticed that in the irrigated areas, agricultural intensification
techniques are used.
2.6.4 THE EASTERN REGION
It covers the provinces of Boulgou, Kouritenga, Gourma, Gnagna and Tapoa. Some
provinces (Gourma, and Tapoa) in this region are the least populated and thus the
least deteriorated in Burkina Faso. The annual rainfall varies between 600 mm and
900 mm. It shelters the country’s big fauna reserves. It is considered as a cereal
producing region. Farming systems there are characterised by the predominance of
sorghum and millet in rotations. Groundnut comes next. In recent years, the
penetration of cash crops such as cotton has been noticed thanks to political
incentives.
2.6.5 THE WESTERN REGION
It covers the provinces of Kossi, Mouhoun, Houet, Kénédougou, Bougouriba, Comoé and
Poni.
The rainfall is in the range of 900 mm and 1100 mm. It constitutes the region with the best
agricultural potential. Maize is the main food crop. The growing of rain-fed rice is also
developed. It is the chosen zone for the main industrial and cash crops (sugar cane and
cotton).
The western region is also that of yams. Mainly cultivated in the Comoé and Poni provinces,
the position of yam is relatively important in the farming system. Its cultivation demands rich
43
soils, hence the need to clear new plots as fields become poor. It is a destruction factor of
biological diversity.
The western region, no matter what is said, is the region where the modernisation of
agriculture is fast (use of improved seeds and grain drills, mechanical ploughing and weeding,
treatment with insecticides). In addition to the large adoption of animal traction, favoured by
the cultivation of cotton, an experiment of mechanisation occurred thanks to the financial
facilities provided by cotton cultivation. This intensification of agriculture is limited in the
short term by the fragility of soils whose fertility conservation is not guaranteed. The low rate
of organic matter in the soil and the need to restore soil depletion constitutes challenges for
most producers in the region despite their satisfactory technical level.
In this region, fallowing is a practice still in force, because of the relative availability of lands.
But the land pressure, which is growing with the flow of migrants, tends to make it disappear.
2.7 INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED THE MANAGEMENT OF
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Many national and international institutions are stakeholders in the management of biological
resources in Burkina Faso. First, there are, at the national level, ministerial departments and
their decentralised agencies with technical, leadership and organisational roles in the field, but
also many integrated rural development NGOs, Programmes and projects and, second, at the
international level donors and research and development institutions.
2.7.1 STATE OWNED INSTITUTIONS
2.7.1.1 The two ministries in charge respectively of agriculture and animal
resources
These two ministries undertake resources management activities through their 12
decentralised agencies constituted by the Regional Centres for the Promotion Agro-pastoral
Activities (CRPA) involved in the field with Agricultural Provincial Services (SPA) or
Provincial Services of Animal Resources (SPRA).
Similarly, many autonomous Programmes and projects are implemented through the abovementioned ministries. As far as these Programmes are concerned, one can mention, National
Land Management Programme (PNGT), Agricultural Sector Sectoral Adjustment Programme
(PASA), etc. The main realised or on-going projects are: PDRI/HKM, the CES/AGF special
Programme in the central plateau, the SOUM livestock project, NOUHAO, PATECORE,
PDRI/TAPOA and PDRIZORGHO, the NAHOURI Local Development Project, etc.
2.7.1.2 Ministry in charge of Environment and Water
This ministry is the institutional guarantor for the conservation and sustainable use of
renewable natural resources. It is particularly involved with environment, forestry and water
domains.
44
As far as forests are concerned, intervention is mainly done by :

central agencies, particularly the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for
the Management of the Environment, the Forestry Service and its central technical
departments, the General Headquarters of the Protection of the Environment
and the National Centre of Forestry Seeds;

Regional Departments of the Environment and Forestry whose number is ten
(10) with 45 Provincial Services for the Environment and Forestry (SPEEF).
Activities undertaken are part of plans, Programmes and projects such, as the National Action
Plan for the Environment (PANE), or “National Action 21”, the National Action Plan for
Desertification Control (PNLCD), the Burkinabè Sahel Programme, the Cartographic Tools
Project for the Management of the Environment, the Participatory Management Project of
Natural and Wildlife Resources, the Biological Diversity Integrated Project of Game
Ranching Systems (GEF/Nazinga Project), etc.
In water domain, intervention is made through:


General Headquarters of Hydraulics and its central technical services;
ten (10) Regional Water Departments (DRE) whose teams work towards the
mobilisation of water resources in order to meet consumption or irrigation
needs.
In addition, there are autonomous projects and attached services such:

the National Office of Wells and Boreholes (ONPF) and the National Office of
Dams and Hydro-agricultural Development (ONBAH) undertaking the
realisation of water points and the construction of dams in favour of hydraulics,
support measures for natural resources management actions and irrigated
agriculture;

the Kompienga Contracting Authority and the Bagré Contracting authority
which are responsible for the development and hydroelectric exploitation of the
water bodies concerned;

the Ziga Contracting Authority which has been working for the realisation of a
water body which must supply the city of Ouagadougou;

the Water and Rural Equipment Fund (FEER) financing CES/DRS actions;

the Water and Sanitation National Office.
2.7.1.3 Ministry of Secondary, Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Actions undertaken by this ministerial department in the domain of natural resources
management and production systems deal mainly with research. The institutions in charge of
research Programmes are as follows :
45







Rural Development Institute (IDR);
Health Science Research Institute;
The Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Ouagadougou
(FASEG);
The Environmental and Agricultural Research Institute (IN.E.R.A.);
Institute of Societal Sciences (I.S.S.);
The Faculty of Sciences and Techniques (FAST);
Research Institute of Applied and Technological Sciences (IRSAT).
Actions are undertaken through plans and Programmes such as the Research Strategic Plan,
Programmes of Natural Resources Management Programmes and Production Systems
Programmes, Animal Production, Annual Plant Production, Forestry Production, etc.
2.7.1.4
Ministry in charge of Infrastructures, Housing and Urbanisation
The agencies of this ministry involved with the management of natural resources and
production system are three:



the Department of town planning;
the Department of Road infrastructures;
the Geographical Institute of Burkina (IGB);
2.7.1.5 Ministry of transport and Tourism
The agencies involved in actions of natural resources management and production system are:


the National Department of Meteorology (D.M.N.);
the Department in charge of tourism.
2.7.1.6 Ministry of Health
The contribution of this ministry deals with the rational exploitation of medicinal products
from flora and fauna. A technical agency, the Department of pharmaceutical services has been
assigned this mission.
2.7.1.7 Ministry of Trade and Handicraft
At the level of this ministry, it is mainly the National Commission in charge of Prices which
contributes in the domain of the use of biological diversity products. In addition, the
Department of Industrial Development, and the Departments of Trade and Economic Affairs
Inspection are the most involved in actions in the domain of natural resources and production
system particularly concerning :



the development and implementation of commercialisation strategies for agricultural
commodities and animal export;
the development and enforcement of regulations in terms of quality and standard;
the main agencies involved with the management of renewable natural resources are :
- the Mining Department;
- the Burkina National Electricity company (SONABEL).
46
2.7.1.8 Ministry of finance.
One (1) institution from this ministerial department, particularly the customs service, is
involved with the control of the export of biodiversity products.
2.7.1.9
Ministry in charge the administration of the territory
At this level, the provincial and departmental administrative services are involved.
2.7.2 NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Many NGOs finance and/or undertake activities within the framework of the management of
natural resources in Burkina Faso. In general, their approach is based on the full participation
of communities and on techniques applicable by the latter. Among theses NGOs, there are:








OXFAM which finances and implements, in collaboration with CRPAs,
the Agroforestry Project (PAF) in migrants’ home zones ;
Agro-Ecology Project (PAE) which in fact is financed by German
NGOs working in collaboration with CRPAs from migrants’ home
zones;
Paul II Foundation for the Sahel;
Nature’s Friends Foundation (NATURAMA);
EURO-ACTION ACCORD, donor of the “soils protection and
restoration” project in the north;
Federation of National Unions of Naam Groups (F.U.N.G.N.);
Associations of Burkina Hunters;
Associations of Tradi-practitioners;
2.7.3 TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
In Burkina Faso, there is practically a customary right over lands, represented by “Land
Custodians” and consequently, over biological resources contained in these lands. Thus, land
custodians are the traditional guarantors of the management of biological resources.
2.7.4 SUB-REGIOANAL AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED
WITH OR INSTERESTED IN NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
PROGRAMMES AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
2.7.4.1 Donors
Among the donors, the following may be listed:





The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP);
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO);
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF);
The World Food Programme (WFP)
47










The European Union;
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD);
The United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office (UNSO);
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID);
The World Bank (WB);
The French Development Fund;
The African Development Bank (ADB);
The West African Development Bank (WADB);
Bilateral co-operations (e.g. : Canadian Agency for International
Development, Swiss Cooperation, Dutch Cooperation)
etc.
2.7.4.2 Sub-regional and international Institutions and/or organisations
The sub-regional and international institutions involved in the management of biological
resources and production system are :
i
CILSS, CIEH, ICRAF, ICRISAT, IITA, CRTO, IPD/AOS, OCCGE, Antenne Sahélienne,
ORSTOM, CIRAD, UICN, etc.
2.8
LEGAL REGULATIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE
USE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The sustainable management of species and populations has always been a concern in Burkina
Faso. In order to attain these objectives, legislative and regulatory measures have been taken
in favour of both species and natural formations and the country’s development. However, a
lot of measures are now confronted with enforcement difficulties.
2.8.1 LEGAL ENVIRONMENTAL INSTRUMENTS IN FORCE
In this domain, two frameworks are concerned: the national framework and the international
framework.
2.8.1.1 National framework
The instruments approved in this framework are constitutional, legislative and regulatory
2.8.1.1.1 The constitutional instruments
The Burkinabè Constitution of the fourth Republic approved on June 2, 1991 accords a special
importance to the protection and management of the environment. It makes many provisions for
this purpose.
First, the preamble, which is part and parcel of the constitution, asserts the increased
consciousness of the population as far environmental issues are concerned. This awareness of the
population of the need to protect the environment was the result of a collective start supported by
an inflexible political will.
48
In addition to the preamble, the protection of the environment constitutes the object of two other
provisions of the Constitution. First, there is Article 14 which confers the status of national
patrimony upon national resources. In other words, it is the inalienability of these natural
resources, at the detriment of the local populations, which is underscored.
As for Article 29, it establishes among human fundamental rights the right to a healthy
environment. This measure specifies the State’s duty towards citizens, but also towards future
generations for which it is our responsibility to bequeath a natural patrimony in an acceptable
condition, i.e., which does not jeopardise their chance of survival.
Article 101 of the constitution, concerned with the distribution of legislative and regulatory
competencies, deals with the environment. It includes the protection of the environment in
matters where the law fixes the fundamental principles.
This establishment of the constitutional value of the protection of the environment is all the more
reinforced since it is the only Burkinabè constitutional measure which specifies that the
protection of the environment is considered as a State obligation.
2.8.1.1.2 Legislative and regulatory instruments
Burkina Faso has at its disposal a legislation and regulations covering all the aspects of
environmental protection and promotion. In a specific way, these legal provisions apply to land,
forestry, wildlife, fishery, water, agricultural and livestock systems. For example, the following
measures, which directly apply to biological diversity, may be quoted:







Agrarian and Land Reform;
Environment Code;
Forestry Code;
Mining Code;
Water Code;
Signature and ratification of many international treaties, conventions
and agreements concerning the management of biological diversity
resources;
Traditional and customary regulations (traditional hunting and fishing,
sacred woods, taboos).
The exhaustive list of legislative and regulatory instruments having an impact on biological
diversity may be consulted in the document entitled “Élaboration d’une monographie nationale
sur la diversité biologique : Étude juridique” (Development of a Country Study on Biological
Diversity: Legal Study), a study conducted as part of the this monograph. Table 4 shows the
quantitative situation of regulatory laws and texts, while table 5 is a caption of legal instruments
according to domain of competencies.
49
Table 4: List of legislative and regulatory texts on the environment
Laws and texts
Quantitative situation
Laws
22
Decrees
92
Orders
226
Circulars
4
Table 3: Summary of legal instruments in force in Burkina Faso.
Domain of competence
Number of instruments
Impact
Environment
74
Direct
Forests
78
Direct
Wildlife
31
Direct
Fishery
6
Direct
Water
10
Direct
Agriculture and livestock
106
Direct
Land
4
Indirect
Health
39
Indirect
Wastes and pollution
8
Direct
Inflammable products
15
Indirect
2.8.1.2 International Framework
Following the other countries of the international community, Burkina Faso subscribed to a
number of intentional commitments of which the following impact on the domain of biological
diversity:



The Convention on wetland of international importance, particularly as Wildlife
Habitat (Ramsar, 1971), intended to harness now and in the future the gradual
encroachment upon wetlands by recognising their fundamental ecological
functions and their economic, cultural, scientific and tourist values;
The Convention concerning the protection of World Cultural and Natural
Patrimony (Paris, 1972) which institutes a collective system for the protection of
outstanding sites of cultural and natural heritage;
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and
Fauna [CITES (Washington, 1973)]. It protects endangered species by controlling
trade in dead or live animals through a license system;
50





The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
(Bonn, 1979) which protects wildlife species migrating across international
borders by facilitating international agreements;
The Berne Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and their Natural
Habitats;
The Convention on Biological Diversity aiming at the conservation of biological
diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing
of the benefits arising out of the exploitation of genetic resources;
The Convention Framework on Climatic Changes whose objective is to stabilise
green house gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level which prevents any
dangerous disruption of the climatic system by man;
The United Nations Convention on desertification control in countries seriously
affected by drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa; its objective is to
fight against desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought.
51
CHAPIer 3 : current status of biological DIVERSITy in
BURKINA FASO
In Burkina Faso, biological diversity has been the object of various human and climatic
threats.
Man’s destructive action on biological diversity is mainly translated into bush fires, shifting
cultivation, population pressure, overgrazing and overexploitation of biological resources. To
these man-made factors must be added the effect of successive droughts since 1970. The
combination of these two main factors leads to the degradation of biological diversity. The
immediate consequences of these facts are the loss of biological diversity and the erosion of
ecosystems. In Burkina Faso, the degradation of biological diversity is more perceptible in the
north-Sudanese and Sahelian zones.
3.1 TAXONOMIC INVENTORY
The biological diversity of Burkina Faso is not well known in spite of the inventories made
since the colonial period until today, because very few systematic inventories were made.
However, the studies undertaken as part of the present monograph constitute pertinent
references and bring out an appreciable biological richness. The total number of recorded
species is 3 992 as far as macro-organisms are concerned, apart from micro-organisms for
which few researches have been conducted. The following development deals with the
summary situation of the knowledge on the taxonomy of the families, genera and species of
the components of biological diversity. The details of this taxonomy are part of the document
entitled “Annexe de la monographie nationale sur la diversité biologique du Burkina
Faso” [Appendix of the Country Study on Biological Diversity in Burkina Faso].
3.1.1 ANIMAL KINGDOM (FAUNA)
The animal kingdom includes micro-organisms, aquatic and terrestrial insects, terrestrial,
aquatic, wild and domestic vertebrates, and invertebrates.
3.1.1.1 micro-organisms
Micro-organisms are ubiquitous, i.e. they are present in almost all milieux, contrary to higher
organisms whose distribution in the biosphere is more dependent on climatic zones
(TRAORE A., 1997).
Burkina Faso, as a result of its geographical situation meets the minimal conditions in order to
shelter most of the micro-organisms recorded in the world up to now. Indeed, according to
TRAORE A, 1997, many micro-organisms have been identified from samples of Burkina
Faso soils or plants. Therefore, and for practical reasons, the documents under-describe the
main groups of micro-organisms known today, even if their study has not been systematically
undertaken in Burkina Faso. In the absence of their detailed description, the report lays
emphasis on family and genera taxonomy.
52
3.1.1.1.1 Viruses
Viruses are parasites infecting insects, plants, vertebrates, invertebrates and bacteria. Often,
their ultimate effect is the destruction of their host. Table 6 shows the inventory of viruses
recorded in the world and which might be found in Burkina Faso.
Table 6: Family and genera number recorded according to virus categories.
Virus
Categories
Parasite viruses Parasite viruses Parasite
Parasite
of vertebrates of plants
viruses of
viruses of
and others
invertebrates bacteria
Family number
14
3
7
9
Genera number
31
22
19
12
Source : TRAORE A, 1997
Total
33
84
3.1.1.1.2 Fungi and moulds
This group of micro-organisms includes fungi, yeasts and moulds. According to TRAORE
A., 1997, there are 113 genera of fungi and moulds divided into 18 families.
3.1.1.1.3 Bacteria
Bacteria are metabolically very active despite their small size. They play a remarkable role in
the bio-fertilisation, bio-energy and bio-protection reactions of the environment. For this
reason, it is important to provide as detailed as possible taxonomic classification for them. On
the basis of the structure of their wall or membrane, bacteria are classified into four main
groups:




gracilicutes or gram-negative bacteria;
firmicutes or gram-positive bacteria;
tenericutes or bacteria without wall;
mendosicutes or bacteria with a very variable composition wall.
The summary of their taxonomic inventory is presented in the table below:
Table 7: Family and genera number according to recorded bacteria
Group of
bacteria
Gracilicutes or
gram-negative
bacteria
Family
54
number
Genera
289
number
Source: TRAORE A., 1997
Firmicutes or
gram-positive
bacteria
Ternicutes or
bacteria
without wall
Mendosicutes or
bacteria with a very
variable composition
wall
Total
14
3
12
83
87
7
30
413
53
3.1.1.2 Insects
Insects comprise the largest numbers of species in the animal kingdom. However, the
situation of knowledge in Burkina Faso of insect diversity is relatively weak as compared
with their population. The entomological fauna of Burkina Faso is still not well known. For
out of an estimate of 30 000 species, only 1515 species have been recorded in known
documents of reference collections. Species of insects from some orders such as
Hemenopterans have not yet been the object of an inventory (e.g.; bees, wasps). In addition,
the geographical distribution of the various species has not yet been made.
The following taxonomic caption of Table 8 shows the quantitative situation of the
knowledge of recognised entomological fauna in Burkina Faso.
Table 8: Quantitative situation of recognised entomological fauna in
Burkina Faso
Identification
Orders
Families
Genera
Quantity
22
151
250
Source: OUEDRAOGO P, 1996, TRAORE C. A. et ZIGANI S. N., 1996.
Species
1515
3.1.1.3 Fauna
This sub-chapter deals purely with aquatic animals (except insects), those dependent on
aquatic milieu (batrachians, reptiles, birds), terrestrial wild fauna and domestic fauna.
3.1.1.3.1 Aquatic fauna
The taxonomic inventories made on aquatic fauna results in the figures shown in table 9.
Table 9: Summary of the taxonomic situation of aquatic fauna
Taxons
Fishes
Batrachians
Molluscs
Crustaceans
Zooplanktons
Total
Families
24
5
10
5
10
54
Genera
57
16
13
7
13
106
Species
118
30
28
6
16
198
Source: TRAORE C. A. et ZIGANI S. N., 1996.
3.1.1.3.2 Terrestrial wild fauna
Vertebrate classes dealt with in this chapter are those of mammals, birds and reptiles. The
situation of wild fauna is relatively well known, even if there is still much to do as far as field
prospection is concerned. Table 10 shows the situation of the taxonomic knowledge of this
fauna.
54
Table 10 : Summary of the taxonomic inventory of terrestrial wild fauna
Classes
Orders
Families
Genera
Species
Mammals
11
33
77
128
Birds
20
76
246
477
Reptiles
4
10
39
60
Total
35
119
362
665
Source: OUEDRAOGO L. et KAFANDO P., 1996
3.1.1.3.3 Domestic fauna
Domestic fauna is not abundant species because producers are seeking an important
qualitative and quantitative yield of this fauna rather than variability. The taxonomic study of
domestic fauna is summarised in the following table:
Table 11 : Summary of the taxonomic study on domestic fauna
Identification
Mammals
Birds
Total
Source : SANA O., 1997
Families
7
4
11
Genera
9
5
14
Species
11
5
16
3.1.2 PLANT KINGDOM (FLORA)
The flora is constituted of forestry, agricultural, food garden, industrial, medicinal, fodder,
ornamental plants, etc. The study of the plant kingdom dealt with aquatic flora and terrestrial
flora.
3.1.2.1 Aquatic flora
Very few inventories of Burkina Faso aquatic plants have been made. Indeed, of the country’s
1 300 water bodies, only 5 have benefited from a micro-flora taxonomic inventory, and hardly
fifty have been studied from the viewpoint of herbaceous flora of aquatic milieux
(OUEDRAOGO R. L., 1996).
55
3.1.2.1.1 Aquatic micro-flora
Taxonomic inventories of the aquatic flora at the level of n°2 and n°3 dams of Ouagadougou
and Loumbila, Kompienga and Bagré dams gave the taxonomic results shown in table 12. In
addition, the inventories undertaken show that, of this recorded micro-flora 22 have not been
determined.
Table 12: Summary of the taxonomic study on aquatic micro-flora
Identification
Number
Families
Genera
Species
32
88
191
Source: OUEDRAOGO R. L., 1997.
3.1.2.1.2 Herbaceous aquatic macro-flora
Aquatic herbaceous flora is made up of herbaceous plants and includes four sub-groups:




aquatic macrophytes which are floating herbaceous plants
semi-aquatic macrophytes fixed at the bottom of water and whose upper part rests on
the surface of the water;
macrophytes of water saturated zones;
hygrophile macrophytes living in dried out zones.
Table 13: Caption of the taxonomic inventory of aquatic herbaceous flora
Taxons-flora sub- groups
Aquatic macrophytes
Semi-aquatic macrophytes
Water zones saturated macrophytes
Hygrophile macrophytes
Total
Source : OUEDRAOGO R. L., 1996
Families
23
20
10
23
76
Genera
28
36
17
37
118
Species
46
69
24
46
185
3.1.2.2 Terrestrial flora
The taxonomic data collected on terrestrial flora concerned higher fungi, herbaceous flora,
(herbaceous flora and agricultural herbaceous flora), ligneous flora (forestry, fruit, ornamental
and medicinal).
3.1.2.2.1 Higher fungi
The taxonomic inventories of higher fungi in Burkina Faso are not as advanced as the ones of
higher plants. According to SANOU and BA, 1996, 8 families, 13 genera and 28 species of
higher fungi are now known in Burkina Faso.
56
3.1.2.2.2 Herbaceous plants
Although the floral inventories dealt with the whole country, knowledge on herbaceous plant
taxonomy is not very important.
The taxonomic inventories made in all the areas of the country on terrestrial herbaceous plants
made it possible to record 87 families, 333 genera and 627 species.
The data collected reveal the predominance of species from some families such as:
leguminous plants (145 species) and graminae (145 species). Moreover, other families are
considered as frequent in the field, particularly the Acanthaceae (26 species), Amaranthaceae
(21 species), Asclepiadaceae (27 species), Convolvulaceae (27 species), Euphorbiaceae (12
species) and Solanaceae (12 species).
3.1.2.2.3 Ligneous forestry flora
Within the ligneous flora, the monogeneric families are more numerous than the multigeneric
families which include the Caesalpiniaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Papilionaceae,
Rubiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Ampelidaceae, Mimosaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Meliaceae, Palmae,
Sapindaceae, Capparidaceae, Combretaceae and Sapotaceae. The local ligneous forestry flora
(trees, small shrubs and creepers) includes 55 families, 214 genera and 376 species (with 95
exotic species).
57
3.1.3 TAXONOMIC SUMMARY OF THE INVENTORY OF SPECIES
Data shown in chapter 3.1 are summarised in table 14.
Table 14: Summary of biodiversity taxonomic inventories
Kingdom
Components
Animalia
(Animals)
Insects
Sub- total
Grand total
151
Number of Number
genera
of species
s
250
1515
Aquatic fauna
54
106
198
Wild fauna
119
362
665
11
14
16
Higher fungi
335
8
732
13
2394
28
Algae
32
88
191
Aquatic herbaceous flora
dependent on wetlands
76
118
185
Terrestrial herbaceous flora
87
333
627
Ligneous flora
55
214
376
258
593
766
1498
1407
3801
Domestic fauna
Sub- total
Plantae
(Plants)
Number of
families
Appendix 2 compares the situation of the taxonomic inventory to the main phylum of
biological diversity according to the five kingdoms of Margulius, L. et K. Schwart (1988).
58
3.2 DIVERSITY OF HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS
The essence of the diversity of habitats and ecosystems comes from the geographical situation
and the physical milieu described in chapter 1.4.
3.2.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIS OF THE HABITAT
More than 80% of the Burkinabè territory rests on a large peneplain with an altitude of 250 to
300 m hardly affected by the hydrographic network. A few small chains of steep hills emerge
from distances apart (GUILOBEZ S., 1985).
3.2.1.1 vegetation
Because of its flora and vegetation, Burkina Faso is part of the vast Sudano-Zambian region.
The flora is divided into two main sub-sets. One belongs to the Saharan and Sahelian dry
flora, and the other to the Sudanese. In the extreme southwest, flora components of the
Guinean wetland appear along the main rivers.
3.2.1.2 Classification of habitats in humid milieu
In Burkina Faso, wetland water can be classified into three (3) categories, which are:
Oligotrophic water bodies (often deep with a narrow bank, poor in coastal plants), eutrophic
water bodies (they are often flat and surrounded by concentric belts of aquatic plants) and
dystrophic water bodies (with water rich in humid matter and poor in mineral salts).
3.2.2 ECOSYSTEMS
As mentioned in chapter 1.4.5, the present phytogeographical division shows two main
domains: the Sahelian domain and the Sudanese domain, which correspond respectively to
two main phytogeographical domains of the country. These two can be distinguished by their
respective floral set: the Saharan and Sahelian dry flora zone (25% of the country), and the
mesophile Sudanese flora zone. In the details, there are transition zones constituted by northSahelian, south-Sahelian, north-Sudanese and south-Sudanese sectors.
There is not yet a consensus on national nomenclature for the classification of plant
formations. For the moment, plant units are classified by drawing inspiration from
Yangambi’s classification of vegetation types. The following nomenclature of groups of plant
formation / ecosystem/ habitat has been chosen:

terrestrial ecosystems (natural or artificial) : sparse forest, savannah, steppes,
fallows and agroforestry parks, plantation;

intermediary ecosystems : formations along streams and lake banks, swamps,
irrigated systems;
hydrospheres (natural or artificial, intermittent or perennial) : vegetation of lakes,
dams and ponds, phytoplankton;
Specialised ecosystems: terrestrial (vegetation of sandy structures), aquatic
(vegetation of springs and waterfalls).


59
According to the Tropical Forestry Action Plan in BOGNOUNOU O., 1993, the three main
types of forestry ecosystems found in Burkina Faso are distributed as follows:
Table 15: Distribution of ecosystems
Identification
Terrestrial ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems
Intermediary ecosystems
Total
Source: OUADBA J. M., 1997
Area (ha)
% Territory
25 140 000
91.22
72 500
371.000
25 583 500
0.26
1.34
93.84
The rest of the country is covered with other types of environment, particularly dunes, towns,
rocks, roads, etc. Some of these ecosystems or habitats have been the object of specific
studies by technical services. They are:




The designated and State protected forests;
Some forest galleries along the Mouhoun River ;
The agroforestry parks of the Central Plateau;
Wetlands.
3.2.2.1 Ecosystem functions
Ecosystems maintain the lives of the other categories of biological diversity, including man.
The richness of a country in biological diversity depends on the importance in quantity and
quality of its ecosystems. The economy of Burkina Faso, as any agricultural country, depends
on the functions of the ecosystems it shelters. Table 16 shows us a few examples of these
functions, which benefit the development of Burkina Faso.
60
Table 16: List of a few functions of ecosystems.
Function
Production
Role played by ecosystems
Maintenance of fertility
Maintenance of humidity
Diversification of production
Prevention of
erosion /
Protection
Slowing down of runoff water
speed and winds
Types of ecosystems or habitats
Forestries, clogged wetlands
idem
Agricultural zones, pastoral zones,
pastures, zones which can be
irrigated
Ligneous and herbaceous forestry
formations
Mildness of
climate
Education
Shade, increase in air humidity
Forestries, wetlands
Availability of varied complexes
Terrestrial, aquatic.
Scientific
Variation of ecological systems
idem
Aesthetic and
recreational
Diversification of species
National parks
3.2.2.2 Terrestrial ecosystems
Natural forestry formations are divided into protected areas (25%) and non-protected areas
(75%). The domain of forest reserve covers a total area of 2,721,857 ha, i.e. 14% of the
national territory.
Among the terrestrial ecosystems, forests account for an important position. The exploitation
of the documentation produced under the aegis of the ministry in charge of environment
reveal the following data concerning terrestrial plant formations. Plant formations (herbaceous
and ligneous) cover 93% of the national territory distributed as follows: 60% of natural
formation (forests, savannahs, steppes, spotted bushes), 32% of man-made formation (fallows
and agroforestry parks, plantations). The detailed distribution of plant formations is shown in
table 17, following the documents produced under the aegis of the ministry in charge of
environment.
61
Table 17: Distribution of types of plant formations.
Origins of
formation
Natural
Types of formation
% Territory
Gallery forests
270 000
1
Sparse forests
287 000
1
4 291 000
16
10 185 000
37
387 000
1
Steppes
1 200 000
4
Fallows and agroforestry parks
8 770 000
32
20 000
-
25 410 000
92
Bushy savannahs
Shrubby savannahs
Spotted tigers
Man-made
Area (ha)
Plantations
Total
Source: OUADBA J. M., 1997.
The herbaceous cover presents characteristics related to the phytogeographical zone in which
it is found. In general, the most representative families are in the decreasing order: gramineae
(monocotyledones with hollow stem), leguminous plants (dicotyledones with pod), and
cyperaceae (apetalous monocotyledones with full stem).
A recent study conducted by FONTES J. and GUINKO S., 1995, on plant formations in
Burkina Faso, provides the distribution of plant formations according to domains and the
country’s phytogeographical sub-sector, as shown in table 18.
62
Table 18: Distribution of terrestrial plant formations according to phytogeographical
zone
Area (Km2)
Phytogeographical zones /
% Territory
Plant formations
SAHELIAN DOMAIN
North-Sahelian sector
Grassy steppe
Grassy and bushy Steppe
Shrubby steppe
Shrubby and bushy steppe
Aquatic grassland
862
8.619
18.842
3.304
165
0.32
3.18
6.95
1.22
0.06
33.352
7.237
6.765
287
12.31
2.67
2.50
0.11
3.868
75.965
11.835
869
1.43
28.05
4.37
0.32
33.412
43.891
20.518
434
12.34
16.21
7.58
0.16
270 225
97
South-Sahelian sector
Shrubby steppe
Shrubby to bushy steppe
Steppe and valley bush savannah
Bushy savannah
SUDANESE DOMAIN
North-Sudanese sector
Bushy to wooded savannah
Bushy to shrubby savannah
Agroforestry parks/Savannahs-Parks
Bushy savannah and Sourou grasslands-prone to
floods
South-Sudanese sector
Shrubby and bushy savannah
Bushy to shrubby and wooded savannah
Bushy to wooded savannah and sparse forest
Forest-gallery and associated aquatic grassland
TOTAL
Source: OUADBA J. M., 1997
63
3.2.2.3 Ecosystems of wetlands
According to the Ramsar Convention, “Wetlands are areas of swamps, marshy waste lands
(peaty swamps), peat bogs or water (natural or artificial, perennial or intermittent) where the
water is stagnant or running, fresh, briny (salty taste) or salted, including marine areas whose
depth is not more than 6 metres deep during low tide”.
Cowardin et al., in 1979, gave the following more globalising definition: “Wetlands are
transition zones between terrestrial systems and aquatic systems where the water table is close
to, or reaches soil surface, or where this surface is covered with shallow water.”
In the Burkinabè context (a continental country), wetlands are formed by all the natural or
artificial zones where water is running or stagnant, perennial or intermittent; they cover about
225 000 ha. Those are water reservoirs (dam lakes, depression lakes, and ponds), springs and
flood basins. Appendix 3 shows the outstanding wetlands of Burkina Faso.
In the typology of Burkina Faso wetlands, there two categories : submerged wetlands and
clogged wetlands.
a) Submerged wetlands
They include two categories:
- zones submerged by running water;
- zones submerged by bog water.
In the category of zones submerged by running water, the size of streams depends on the
catchment area. Thus, when the former is not more than a few hectares, we have brooks,
ditches or torrents; for a catchment area of a few km² to thousands of km², we have a
backwater; for rivers, the size of the catchment area is hardly more than 100 000 km².
At the level of running water, there are five main streams: Mouhoun, Nakambé, Nazinon,
Comoé and Pendjari. Nakambé and its main affluents flow for an average of six months a
year, Nazinon for six months; only Comoé and its affluent Léraba, Mouhoun and its
affluent Kou and Pendjari have an perennial flow.
Bog water concerns lakes, ponds, water reservoirs and dams. The updated inventory of
surface water resources estimates the number of water reservoirs to 1300 (OUEDRAOGO
R. L., 1996). The perennity of natural and artificial water bodies highly depends on their
respective depth and the climatic and physiographical zone of the country.
Zones submerged by bog water are those covered by perennial water. Among them, there
are two big artificial water bodies, Kompienga (216 km2 with 2 billion m3 maximum) and
Bagré (250 km2 with 1.7 billion m3), have a marked hydroelectric vocation. The ponds,
including the Oursi Pond (Ramsar site), which used to be big and perennial are now subject
to drainage; only the Hippopotamuses Pond (which is a biosphere reserve) is saved from
this situation. Map n°10 shows the hydrographic network and the water reservoirs.
64
b) Clogged wetlands
Clogged wetlands are those with soils that are saturated by water. This saturation may be
superficial and translated into a partial submersion hardly more than a few centimetres. It may
be deep and translated into the existence of some hydrophile plant species or cultivated plants
on the surface, requiring an hydric supply higher than can be provided by the regional climate.
Clogged wetlands are of two types: natural superficial clogging (related to the presence of
streams, lakes and water reservoirs) and artificial clogging (irrigated areas).
The type of clogged wetland we are interested in here is natural superficial clogging.
Depending on clogging, there are mouillere, bogs, marshes and swamps.
The mouilleres are temporarily clogged small areas, characterised by superficial drippings
affecting locally the outcrop of an aquifer groundwater. Usually, mouilleres are found on the
low sides at the margin of lowland central zones. They appear in mid-August and at the end of
November in south and southwest zones of Burkina Faso.
Bogs are larger than mouilleres, and they are found in the central part of lowlands or at the
margin of ponds and flood basins in the south-Sudanese zone.
In Burkina Faso, natural clogging of soils is intermittent because of the character of the
climate.
3.2.3 STATE OF THE CONSERVATION OF SPECIES AND POPULATIONS
The measures and actions undertaken until now made it possible to preserve some of the
habitats which are the most favourable to the conservation of biological diversity, such as
parks, natural reserves (protected forests, protected zones and silvi-pastoral reserves). Map 11
gives a view of the distribution of protected natural formations.
65
Map 10: Hydrographic network and water reservoirs
Map 11: Protected natural formations
66
3.2.3.1 Presentation of the richest habitats in fauna and flora diversity
In Burkina Faso, like everywhere in the world, biological diversity is distributed through all
the country’s ecosystems according to the biology and ecology of each species. Today, these
ecosystems are victims of many natural and man-made factors, particularly, persistent
droughts and population pressure, which make their equilibrium precarious. The consequence
of this is the reduction of species ecosystems and habitats, the scarcity of some species, which
have now become fragile, the change in attitude of some species, etc.
Today, the richest (qualitatively and quantitatively) habitats in species amount to the various
conservation areas of terrestrial fauna (national parks, synergetic zones, biosphere reserves,
etc.), protected forests, natural and artificial wetlands (ponds, dam lakes, developed areas,
etc.). In these agricultural zones, there is an increasing development of a vertebrate fauna
dependent on these types of habitats (eg. : crop destructive insects).
3.2.3.1.1 National parks, natural reserves and other protected zones
In the report, presented by Burkina Faso at the United Nations Conference, on the
Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in1992, the country’s natural
forestry formations are divided into two domains: the non-protected domain (11 604 000 ha,
i.e. 75% of formations) and the protected domain (3 816 000 ha, i.e. 25% of formations). The
protected formations (protected forests and the silvi-pastoral and partial fauna reserve) are 65
and cover a total area of 2 678 747 ha (source : GUINKO S., 1996). The development below
presents the components of the protected domain.
a) National parks.
They include the total protection zones of wildlife and its habitat where the only samples
allowed are those of improvements by technical services, (by involving resident
populations). There are two (2) in the country, particularly the “W” National Park, established
by decree on August 14 1954 with an area of 350 000 ha, situated in the Tapoa province, halfway between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso, and the Kaboré Tambi National Park in Pô,
Nahouri province, established by order 76-02/PRES-ET of 02/09/1976. The total area of
national parks is 390 500 ha, i.e. 10% of protected formations.
b) Wildlife reserves.
Wildlife reserves are protected natural zones or wildlife exploitation (sampling, hunting, and
tourism of vision, etc.) is regulated.
Burkinabè wildlife, which used to be very rich has now become much poorer today. The
existing big wildlife is mainly concentrated in the extreme south of the protected zones of the
southwest zones (Comoé province), Centre-south and southeast (provinces of Sissili, Nahouri,
Gourma and Tapoa). The Arly wildlife reserve and the Nazinga game ranch are high
observation points of big wildlife (source: Notice de la Carte de végétation du Burkina Faso,
GUINKO S. et FONTES J., 1995).
Wildlife reserves cover 2 545 500 ha. The are nine (9) most important ones in terms of area
and they are subdivided into two categories according to the management approach applied to
67
them. Thus, four total reserves and five partial reserves can be distinguished; the list of the 9
wildlife reserves is shown in table 19.
Table 19: List of wildlife reserves
Name
Arly Wildlife Reserve
Madjoari Wildlife Reserve
Singou Wildlife Reserve
Bontioli Wildlife Reserve
Arly Wildlife Reserve
Kourtiagou Wildlife Reserve
Pama Wildlife Reserve
Nabéré Wildlife Reserve
Bontioli Wildlife Reserve
Classification Area (ha)
Total
Total
Total
Total
Partial
Partial
Partial
Partial
Partial
TOTAL
76 000
17 000
192 000
12 700
96 000
51 000
223 700
36 000
29 500
Year of
Situation
establishme
nt
1954
1970
1955
1957
1954
1957
1955
1957
1957
Tapoa province
Tapoa province
Gourma province
Bougouriba province
Gourma province
Tapoa province
Gourma province
Bougouriba province
Bougouriba province
733 900
Source: OUEDRAOGO N. A., 1997.
The areas mentioned for the various reserve categories are the ones existing in official
records. However, the actual areas are less than these figures because of the various pressures
mentioned earlier. In addition to these reserves, there is the Nazinga Game Ranch, which
contains an important diversity of vertebrates.
c) The silvi-pastoral and partial wildlife reserve
In Burkina Faso, there is a silvi-pastoral and partial wildlife reserve known as of the Sahel,
which covers an area of 1 600 000 ha, corresponding to the Soum, Séno and Oudalan
provinces. It is a zone where pastoral activities are undertaken in natural pastures and where
there is a wildlife reserve open to pastoral activities. The main part of this reserve is now
subject to exploitation systems which do not conform with the status of a reserve; this
explains why the prospecting undertaken as part of the UPV-82/008 project retained a zone of
1 220 km2 comprising the west of Forage Christine, the Oursi and Béli ponds for the
conservation of the representative ecosystems of Burkinabè Sahel (source : OUEDRAOGO
N. A., 1997).
d) Synergetic reserves
They concern the wildlife-protected areas where hunting is controlled and wildlife habitat
partially protected. Depending on their management systems, they are either real synergetic
zones, controlled by the State agencies in charge of environment, or zones hired by the State
to individuals who ensure their management themselves following laid down specifications.
e) Reserves of international importance
Three protected domains in Burkina Faso have an international importance, i.e. belonging to
world patrimony. These are : The Hippopotamuses Pond (biosphere reserve of an area of 19
200 ha) situated in the Houet province, the Oursi Pond (Ramsar site with an area of 45 000
68
ha) in the Oudalan province , and the “W” Park (Ramsar site with 235 000 ha), half-way
between Burkina Faso, Benin and Niger.
f) Protected forests
According to METRO A., 1975 protected forests are the forestry zones defined and
demarcated as such according to a legislative and regulatory measure, in such a way as to give
it the required legal protection. The protected forests of Burkina Faso cover a total area of 1
112 747 ha, without the Sahel silvi-pastoral and partial wildlife reserve (see. Table 20).
However, this total area is theoretical, because of the illegal settlements forests are subjected
to.
69
Table 20: Situation of protected formations in Burkina Faso
Province
Name of the formation
Situation
(district, village)
N° of order decree- of designation
Area
(ha)
8107 /SE / F
4088 /SE / F
4087 /SE / F
4089 /SE / F
8106 /SE / F
3499 /SE / F
689 / FOR
3413 /SE / F
4086 /SE / F
688 / FOR
2875 /SE / F
1312 /SE / F
4084 /SE / F
420 /SE / G
2500 / SE
2500 / SE
4637 / SE/F
690 / FOR
3147 / SE/F
5768/ SE/ EF
116 / SE
836 / SE
115 / SE
422 / SE ou
3006 / SE / E
836 / SE
5 000
1 300
12 000
27 000
30 000
85 000
29 000
550
9 500
75 000
2 500
700
100
6 654
6 850
1 600
20 000
8 500
29 500
36 500
50 000
1 600
50 000
8 500
Satiri
Date
Of designation
classification
4 Nov. 1953
31 May 1955
31 May 1955
31 May1955
4 Nov. 1953
29 Nov. 1937
4 August 1955
22 Sept. 1943
31 May 1955
4 August 1955
12 April 1954
5 April 1934
31 May 1955
27 Feb. 1936
23 Oct. 1936
23 Oct. 1936
24 June 1954
4 August 1955
23 March 1957
3 August 1953
28 Jan. 1940
26 March 1937
17 Jan. 1940
27 Feb. 1936
26 August 1941
26 March 1937
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Comoé
Boulgou
Boulgou
Bougouriba
Bougouriba
Bougouriba
Bougouriba
Houet
Houet
Houet
Houet
FC Bérégadougou
FC Bounouna
FC Boulon
FC Kongoko
FC Kaflandé
FC Diéfoula
FC Logoniégué
FC Babolo
FC Gouandougou
FC Dida
FC Toumousséni
FC Yendéré
FC Source du Mouhoun
FC Niangoloko
FC Ouilingoré
FC Yakala
FC Dibon
FC Bougouriba
FC Bontioli
FC Nabéré
FCMaro
FC Bahon
FC Tui
FC Dindéresso
Banfora
Sidéradougou
Sidéradougou
Sidéradougou
Banfora
Niangoloko
Mangodara
Niangoloko
Sidéradougou
Mangodara
Banfora
Niangoloko
Moussodougou
Niangoloko
Zabré
Tenkodogo
Diébougou
Diébougou
Diébougou
Diébougou
Houndé
Houndé
Houndé
Bobo-Dsso
Houet
Houet
FC
Mare
Hippopotames
FC Koulima
Bobo-Dsso
27 Feb. 1936
FC Bansié
FC Mou
Bobo-Dsso
Bobo-Dsso
26 March 1937
20 Oct. 1938
421 / SE or
1486 / SE
836 / SE
3406 / SE
Houet
Houet
Houet
Houet
Houet
Houet
Houet
Houet
Houet
Ganzourgou
Kadiogo
FC Dan
FC Téré
FC Kou
FC Péni
FC Koa
FC Bambou
FC Kapo
FC Wayen
FC Barrage
Bobo-Dsso
Kouka
Bobo-Dsso
Bobo-Dsso
Bobo-Dsso
Bobo-Dsso
Houndé
Wayen
Ouagadougou
3 August 1953
23 Nov. 1951
13 Jan. 1951
24 Sept. 1942
27 April 1936
26 March 1937
26 March 1937
26 August 1941
9 Oct. 1936
26 August 1941
5765 / SE
8314 / SE/ F
190 IGF
3389 / SE/ F
891 / SE
836 / SE
836 / SE
3009/SEor3005
2376 / SE
3004 / SE
aux
19 200
2 150
300
34 000
4 300
10 700
117
1 200
350
1 800
9 900
12 000
260
70
Table 20 (continued)
Province
Name of the formation
Situation (district,
village)
Koupéla
Boromo
Boromo
Bondokuy
Boromo
Dédougou
Dédougou
Dédougou
Dédougou
Dédougou
Boromo
Year of
designation
23 Oct. 1936
19 June 1937
19 June 1937
17 Jan. 1940
19 June 1937
17 Jan. 1940
13 Oct. 1938
13 Oct. 1938
13 Oct. 1938
13 Oct. 1938
13 Oct. 1938
17 Jan. 1940
19 June 1937
13 Oct. 1938
4 Decem. 1953
9 Oct. 1936
Manga, 3 August 1953
N° of order / decree /
of designation
2500 / SE
1639/SE/S
1639/SE/S
115/SF/5
117/SE
3320/SE
3320/SE
3320/SE
3320/SE
3320/SE
113/SF/S
840
15 625
1 700
50 000
14 000
5 400
13 000
14 000
2 700
21 500
5 800
Boromo
Pô
Pô
1639/SE/S
3320/SE/S
8827/SE/F
2376/SE
5767/SE/EF
115 000
836
38 300
40
98 000
3 August 1953
28 Feb. 1953
23 Oct. 1936
26 August 1941
12 April 1954
24 June 1954
4 August 1955
9 Oct. 1936
19 June 1937
9 Oct. 1936
17 Janv. 1940
May 1 1936
5769/SE/EF
1550/SE
2500/SE
3003/SE
2878/EF
4638/SE/F
387/FOR
2376/SE/S
1639/SE/S
2376/SE
111/SE/S
961/SE
9 000
6 000
4 100
1093/FOR
32 700
Ordonnance
n° 1 600 000
70/302/PRES/AGRIEL
1092
14 000
2 712 747
Kouritenga
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
Mouhoun
FC Sitenga
FC Pâ
FC Bonou
FC Tuy
FC Nasébou
FC Sâ
FC Kari
FC Ouoro
FC Toroba
FC Tissé
FC Sorobouty
Mouhoun
Nahouri
Nahouri
Namentenga
Oubritenga
FC 2 Ballé
FC Pic de Nahouri
FC de Nazinga
FC Tougouri
FC Nakambé
Oubritenga
Oubritenga
Oubritenga
FC Ziga
FC Gonsé
FC Bissiga
Passoré
Passoré
Poni
Sanmatenga
Sanmatenga
Sanmatenga
Sanguié
FC Niouma
FC Twéssé
FC Koulbi
FC Yabo
FC Dem
FC Nakambé
FC Kalio
Sissili
Soum-SénoOudalan
FC Sissili
Léo
Réserve sylvo-pastorale et Séno-Oudalanpartielle de faune du Sahel Soum
31 Decem. 1955
9 Decem. 1970
Sourou
TOTAUX
FC Sourou
66
27 March 1937
Ziniaré,
Kombissiri
Ziniaré
Saaba
Zitenga
Yako
Yako
Batié
Kaya
Kaya
Pouni
Yaba
Area(ha)
735
490
40 000
1 000
350
2 000
12 000
Source: GUINKO S., 1996
3.2.3.1.2 The situation of protected areas
In addition to the late initiation of the measures in order to protect them (1936-1957), the
protected zones are increasingly faced with an accelerated degradation which constitutes a
serious threat. The main damages protected formations are subjected are:





degazetting, modifications of demarcations and changes in the status of some forests;
every 1/3 of the country’s area undergoes bush fires;
clearing of almost 100 000 ha/year of forestry lands;
fragilisation of ecosystems by their inappropriate exploitation;
resurgence of the degradation of formations because of population and livestock, as well
as the successive droughts which cause a plant and animal massive death.
Inside protected areas all the components of biological diversity do not benefit from practical
appropriate conservation measures. This is particularly the case of entomological fauna and
aquatic flora, which represent hardly explored domains. In addition, efforts made as part of
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity are characterised by constraints
coming mainly from the poverty of the populations often struggling for their survival.
71
3.2.3.2 Richness in species of ecosystems
In general, the diversity of species in the Burkina Faso ecosystems is not well known. The
presentation, in chapter 3.1, as well as the summary in table 14 illustrate this situation.
Indeed, the various thematic reports developed for the present report underscored this
weakness, and this is why the data has not been established for all the taxonomic groups.
3.2.3.3 Endangered species
Endangered species in Burkina Faso are determined through legislative texts specifying the
condition of their protection. The list of extinguished, threatened and vulnerable species is not
well stocked because of the recent character of the particular attention paid to the various
constituent components of the country’s global biodiversity. Table 21 below gives the list of
such species.
Table 21: Situation of extinguished, dying, threatened and vulnerable species at the
national level.
Category
Extinct
Mammals
Oryx
Birds
About extinction
Ostrich
Vulnerable
Panther
Cheetah
Elephant
Damaliscs
Gazella Rufifron
Gazella Dorcas
Wild dog
8
Abyssian hornbill
West African
crowned crane
3
2
Crocodile
Reptiles
Total
Threatened
Python
Fishes
Ligneous
flora
Celtis integrifolia
Adenium obesum
Acacia senegal
Dalbergia
melanoxylon
Pterocarpus lucens
Vitex doniana
Ximenia americana
Protopterian (eel)
1
Adansonia digitata
15
Bombax costatum
Ceiba pentandra
Anogeissus
leiocarpus
Khaya senegalensis
Prosopis africana
Parkia biglobosa
Butyrospermum
paradoxum
72
Table 22: Endangered plant species in the north and centre-north of Burkina Faso.
Overexploited species now
scare around urban centres
Daniella oliveri
Diospyros mespiliformis
Entada africana
Scarce
species
about
extinction
Acacia erythrocalix
Annona senegalensis
Brachystelma simplex subsp.
banforae
Fagara xanthoxyloides
Gossypium anomalium
Nauclea latifolia
Guibourtia copallifera
Rauvolfia vomitora
Hibiscus gourmassia
Securidaca longepedunculata Landolphia heudolotti
Trichilia roka (= T. emetica)
Vitex doniana
Ximenia americana
Vulnerable food species
Adansonia digitata
Bombax costatum
Butyrospermum paradoxum
subsp. parkii
Detarium microcarpum
Lannea microcarpa
Sclerocarya birrea.
Spondias mombin
Saba senegalensis variété
glabriflora
Parkia biglobosa
Tamarindus indica
Source: BÉLEM B., 1996, et BOGNOUNOU O., 1997.
3.2.3.4 Endemism
The situation of endemism is very little known in Burkina Faso. However, there is a timid
knowledge concerning flora for which it has been established that, at least, 23 existing species
in Burkina Faso are endemic in West Africa. Table 23 lists these species and their respective
families.
73
Table 23: West African scarce/or endemic species
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Family
Mimosaceae
Scrophuliaceae
Fabaceae
Limnocharitaceae
Malvaceae
Rubiaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Fabaceae
Alismataceae
Caryophyllaceae
Poaceae
Malvaceae
Hamarylliaceae
Oleaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Aslepiadaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Caesalpinaceae
Genus and species
Acacia erythrocalyx
Craterostigma plantagium
Aeschynomene mbacoundensis
Lagarosiphon muscoides
Gossypium anomalum
Botopedima tenius *
Afrotrilepis pilosa
Bulboschoenus maritimus
Eleocharis decoriglumis
Schoenoplectus articulatus
Cyperus articulatus *
Sesbania rostrata
Sagittaria oblusifilium
Polycarpaea dillei
Eragrostris lingulata
Hibiscus gourmania
Crinum mulicum
Jasminum kerstingii (very localised)
Rytachne furtira
Elionurus euchaetus
Gongronema obscurum
Brachystelma simplex, subsp. anforae
Guibourtia copallifera**
According to LEBRUN, 1991 et OUEDRAOGO, 1994.
Key : *= present in the Sindou Peaks
**= present in Tourny (Kankalaba)
3.2.3.5 Introduced Fauna and Flora species and varieties
The introduction of species in a country constitutes a means to mitigate a loss at the
economic, sociocultural and scientific level. In Burkina Faso where the increase in production
and the fight against the consequences of drought represent priorities, the recourse to exotic
species is a common practice. The activity sub-sectors which introduce species and varieties
are particularly agriculture and forestry. Thus, for example, of 320 species of domesticated
ligneous flora, 201 are exotic (BELEM B., 1996). In addition, the livestock sub-sector has
recourse to the introduction of varieties of animal species.
The main types of plants being introduced are ligneous plants, food crops, market garden
crops, industrial crops, cash crops and decorative plants.
As far as domestic wildlife is concerned, the following breeds have been introduced:


at the level of cattle the Azawak zebus and M’Bororo zebus (Niger), the Gouadalis
(Nigeria), and the N’Dama Taurus (Côte d’Ivoire);
at the level of sheep, the bali-bali breed (Macina);
74


at the level of pigs, breeds such as the Korogho pig (Côte d’Ivoire);
at the level of poultry, the Gallor guinea-fowl, Rode-Island Red hens, the
Plymouth, the Nera (Europe).
3.2.3.6 Domestic animals and cultivated plants
Domestic animals and cultivated species rank high in the uses of the constituent components
of biological diversity in Burkina Faso, because the country has an agro-pastoral vocation.
3.2.3.6.1 Domestic animals
Domestic fauna experienced more and more a phenomenon of crossbreeding, because of the
search for bigger sizes and yield. The few traditional farmsteads of the country are more and
more abandoned in favour of the raising of species that have bigger sizes.
3.2.3.6.2 Cultivated plants
Since the colonial period, concrete actions have been undertaken as part of the conservation of
cultivated plants. They are:






improvement of domesticated species through botanical research, provenance
trials;
use of at least 40 local species in plantation operations;
multiplication and regeneration techniques;
improvement of natural formations;
research in further knowledge of the biology of species;
seeds conservation.
As far as agricultural plants are concerned, the level of species conservation is mediocre
because there is no (or almost none) important actions of in-situ conservation of resources.
However, the protected forest domains contribute to the conservation of wild species. The
fundamental reason behind this situation lies in the country’s difficult socio-economic
conditions, which oblige the local populations to seek to satisfy their immediate needs at the
detriment of sustainable development. This results in the adoption of new species and
varieties having yield and quality higher than those of local species. However, there are a few
ex-situ conservation and conservatory installations of phytogenetic resources.
For cereals (sorghum, millet, maize, rice and fonio), local varieties (when they exist), wild
forms have been prospected, sampled and preserved in international centres of genetic
resources. The duplicates of some of these samples are preserved at the national level in
Farakoba. Today, 237 samples of sorghum, 112 of millet, 41 of fonio and rice are preserved
there. Oil seeds (groundnuts, sesame and soybean) are preserved in very small quantities in
refrigerators and regenerated every two years. Oil seeds such as Cowpeas and Bambara
groundnuts are preserved in cold-storage room.
3.2.3.7 Traditional conservation knowledge and practices
Traditional knowledge and practices have sometimes integrated the desired conservation
methods of species, biotic communities and consequently genetic resources. These practices
75
are more marked in Africa where there are between man and nature beliefs, messages,
correspondences and knowledge. These practices are related to ethnic groups (of which there
are more than 60 in Burkina Faso), clans and age group.
Traditional conservation practices of biological diversity in Burkina Faso, like in many
African countries are:
 conservation village forestry relics, called "sacred woods", with cultural or religious goal,
constituted of specific species such as Anogeissus leiocarpus (African birch), Combretum
micranthum (Kinkéliba), etc., whose sites are chosen by traditional chiefs and elderly
people (the wise);
 the establishment of agroforestry park systems for the preservation of soil fertility and the
supply of forestry products to man; the most used species in this framework often have
multiple uses; they are, for example, Acacia albida (whitish Acacia, Mimosa), Parkia
biglobosa (Nere), Butyrospermum paradoxum (shea-tree Sclerocarya birrea (Sclerocary,
Plum-tree), Lannea microcarpa (Grapefruit tree ), Bombax costatum (red kapok tree),
Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebony tree Adansonia digitata (Baobab), and Acacia nilotica
(Acacia from the Nile);
 the prohibition by religion or tradition from exploiting some animal species [ex: Canis
familiaris (the dog), Equus asinus (the donkey) and Sus cristatus (the big) by the Muslim
religion],
 useful species such as Tamarindus indica (Tamarind) and Stereospermum kunthianum by
the Mossi and Bissa, Parkia biglobosa (Nere) used by some Bissa clans for fetishes in the
domain of thunder;
 the traditional regulation of the exploitation of some animal or plant resources (e. g. :
organisation of village hunting and fishing), gathering, cereal harvesting;
 customary practices with an indirect protection of species (customary bush fires) .
Table 24 shows the non-exhaustive list of species being the object of traditional conservation
according to the values ascribed to them.
Table 24: List of traditionally preserved species
Ascribed value
Species
Economic
Acacia albida, Adansonia digitata, Borassus aethiopum, Bombax costatum,
Butyrospermum paradoxum,Diospiros mespiliformis, Lannea acida,Lannea
microcarpa, Parkia biglobosa, Sclerocarya birrea, Tamarindus indica
Adansonia digitata, Albizia chevalieri, Anthiaris africana, Bligia sapida, Borassus
aethiopum,Ceiba pentandra, Combretum micrantum, Cyrtosperma senegalens,
Dioscorea dumetorum, Elaeis guineensis, Khaya senegalensis, Pachystela
argentea, Pterocarpus erinaceus
Clarias anguillaris, Crocodilus niloticus, Crocodilus cataphractus, Hippopotamus
amphibius, Python sebae, Python regius,Tamarindus indica, Varanus niloticus,
Varanus exhanthematicus, Gazella dama, Gazella dorcas, Gazella rufifrons,
Epomopharus gambianus, Eidelon helvum, Orycterapus afer, Parkia biglobosa
Equus asinus, Canis familiaris, Sus cristanus
Adansonia digitata, Ficus sp., Tamarindus indica, Khaya senegalensis,
Sclerocarya birreae
Afzelia africana, Lannea microcarpa, Cassytha filiformis, Canarium
schweinfurthii, Tamarindus indica, Adansonia digitata,Gardenia erubescens,Ficus
sp., Khaya senegalensis
Sacred (sacred woods)
Clanic (protection)
Religious and/or ritual
Socio-cultural
Handicraft and/or customary
(masks)
76
3.2.3.8 Land use
The available data on land use in Burkina Faso comes form the interpretation of aerial
photographs of IGN- France missions taken during the period between 1950 and 1956. The
resulting map (Map REMY G. ) reflects the various extents of intensity of land use during the
period concerned. One notices a parallel between the data from this map and those from
population densities published by SAVONNET in 1965.
The map of land use by RÉMY G. supplies the following data in table 25 for 1956 :
Table 25: Extent of land use
Extent of land use
Area ( km²)
Null
Insignificant
Less than 6%
Form 6 to 25%
from 25 to 50%
More than 50%
Uncovered zone
%
39 800
49 000
86 990
74 900
19 000
2 000
900
TOTAL
Source: OUADBA J M., 1997
14.6
18.0
31.9
27.0
7.0
0.7
0.3
100
272 500
One can notice that only little more than the third of the territory can be considered as
populated on average (use > 6-25%) or highly populated (use > 25%)", the level of settlement
translating the extent of land use.
An attempt to evaluate the evolution of land use was made in 1991 by GUINKO S.,
BANDRÉ E. and OUADBA J. M., at the request of the cartographic project Atlas of Burkina,
hosted by the ministry of planning. The information available now can be taken from the
"Carte de la végétation et de l'occupation du sol au Burkina Faso" by FONTES J. et GUINKO
S. (1995). Land use, synonymous with "agricultural domination ", is expressed in three (3)
classes according to the percentage of farms and young fallows against the background of
natural or spontaneous vegetation. The result of the data is presented in table 26.
Table 26: Area of land use according to class
Class
Area (km²)
%
Low (<10%)
136,329
50.33
Average (10-30%)
73,574
27.16
High (>30%)
60,938
22.50
TOTAL
270,841
99.99
Source :OUADBA J. M.., 1997
77
Map 12 below gives the extent of croplands use.
Map 12 extent of croplands use
It can be noticed here that half of the country belongs to the class of low land use (136.329
km²). Milieux with higher use account for about 20% of the national territory and correspond
mainly to zones including big urban centres (Ouagadougou, Koupéla, Koudougou) where the
majority of the country’s population is concentrated.
These authors made it clear that a “rate of less than 10% equals low densities of population
and long enough crop rotations-fallows to ensure a good regeneration of soils. On the
other, more than 30% of use, the population density is very important and leads to a
systematic shortening of the cycle of fallow, lower yields and impoverishes soils”.
By analysing the results from FONTES J. et GUINKO S., it can be estimated that since 1956,
and particularly in recent years, the intensity of land use has increased by 17% for all the
country. However, this increase does not have the same meaning everywhere, because of the
diversity of agricultural practices and the disparity in population densities.
3.2.3.9 Changes noticed at the level of ecosystems and habitats these last 20 years.
Ecosystems and habitats are influenced by dynamics related to climatic variations or changes
and to various human activities, including the following: persistent droughts, bush fires,
excessive exploitations of biological resources, shifting cultivation and overgrazing. For
example, it is mentioned in “Précis de télédétection”, Presse Universitaire du Québec, volume
78
2, (1996), that the plant landscape of Burrkina Faso underwent from 1972 to 1990 a sudden
transformation resulting in two spatial dynamics:


in the north, in the Sahelian region, it is a continuous line of degradation which
expanded to the south;
in the centre as in the south of the country, the evolution occurred in degradation
areas which expanded and joined together.
3.2.3.9.1 Terrestrial ecosystems
Savannah and steppe ecosystems have dynamics related to climatic variations, rate of fires,
which go through them, and the various human activities affecting them.
According to GUINKO S., 1996, the evolution of plant formations in Burkina has been very
high these last twenty years. They suffered from two important drought phases, which are
responsible for significant mortality phenomena of ligneous species. These very droughts
brought many constraints to the farming and raising populations. Significant displacements of
migrants from the north to the south led to pressures on the Sudanese savannahs that are often
high.
Today, the north-Sudanese savannahs and the Sahelian steppes all constitute secondary
formations resulting from man’s destructive action on the original vegetation through bush
fires, clearing, overgrazing and excessive logging for energy and handicraft needs. To these
man-made factors, must be added also the effect of climatic drought which has been
manifesting itself since 1971 through persistent low rainfall. This persistent climatic drought
resulted in the south, in the shift of Sahelian and Sudanese zones. Thus according to
DIALLO A. (1990), as compared with the period from 1960-1970, the 500 mm isohyet
shifted towards the south by about one degree latitude during the period from 1970-1980.
The degradation of the ligneous vegetation is clearly perceptible in the north-Sudanese zones.
The national forestry inventory made in 1980 by FAO (DIALLO A., 1990) estimated that the
percentage of dead standing trees reached 4.20% in the north-Sudanese zone and more than
10% in the Sahel. In the Sahelian zone, many populations of Acacia raddiana, Pterocarpus
lucens, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Balanites aegyptiaca and de Adansonia digitata are suffering
from a worrying decay. OUADBA J.M, 1983 asserts that in the Nakambé basin, 72% of forest
formations have declined between 1958 and 1979.
The map of natural vegetation and land use constitutes a source of information on the current
status of ecosystems and habitats, which underwent changes in these last 20 years. This map
reveals the following forms of vegetation:






a few Guinean and humid flora formations in replacement of the Guinean forests
along the main streams in the extreme south-west;
a few gallery forests which took over from the quite homogenous formations in the
Sudanese part;
thicket, shrubby and edaphic savannahs;
agroforestry parks where the fallowing cycle has been drastically reduced;
herbaceous steppes comprising thickets, shrubs and bushes;
formations of flood basin zones, marshes and swamps.
79
Agricultural clearing contributed a lot to the degradation of soils. According to
BONKOUNGOU E., 1985 “although all cultivated lands account only for about one third of
the 9 million hectares of the country’s cropland, extension possibilities of cultivated lands are
actually very limited in some regions because of the mediocre qualities of soils, the low
availability of water, or an already high land use leading to even clearing very fragile
marginal zones”.
Indeed, it can be noticed that in some regions of Burkina, Yatenga for example, the maximal
density threshold (50 inhabitants/km²), considered as compatible with the maintenance of soil
fertility has been largely exceeded in the present context of traditional production systems,
technical conditions, and natural and human conditions of agricultural and pastoral activity
(BOGNOUNOU O., 1996).
This aspects of degradations related to clearing, human and pastoral toll, the deterioration of
living environment is well shown in the world map of desertification (UNEP/FAO/UNESCO)
where the majority of Burkina is classified in the high risk desertification zones.
Concerning the particular case of specific ecosystems, it is worth mentioning the overall
degradation of forest galleries in the agro-ecological zone further south of the country
(Comoé, Léraba, Mouhoun). As a result of their protective role of banks and springs, sensitive
habitats of the hydrographic network, uncontrolled clearing of forest galleries constitutes a
major ecological risk with incalculable consequences (BOGNOUNOU O., 1996).
In the west of Burkina, rural migrations increased in recent years. In the absence of lands,
migrants consciously or unconsciously settled illegally in many protected forests. Drawing
inspiration from a few displacement actions, the forestry administration is looking for a global
and adapted strategy to make illegal settlers leave these forests.
3.2.3.9.2 Freshwater ecosystems
Chronic rainfall shortages recorded for more than two decades have resulted in the non-filling
of water points and in the decline in the flow of streams. Ponds, lakes and other water bodies
have since then been undergoing various pressures, which led to their silting. This resulted in
the quantitative and qualitative modification of aquatic fauna. In addition, the use of chemical
fertilisers in irrigated cash crop farms contributed through the weathering phenomenon to
pollute water bodies, making ecosystems unbearable for fauna, hence the loss of many
specimen and the decline in the number of fauna and herbaceous species.
Animal action at the level of ponds also contributed to their modification. Indeed, the plant
biomass produced by ponds, containing many fodder species (47.3 %) of flora (in Sahelian
zone), is invaded by many herds. Animal grazing and trampling lead to a rapid degradation of
the vegetation and to few modifications, translated into the appearance of new faeces (Nymphaea
lotus and Utricularia stellaris).
3.2.3.9.3 The main changes occurred in the last 20 years in the populations of some
plant species.
Biological diversity in Burkina Faso was once very rich in flora and fauna. Today,
populations of some important species suffer from pressures due often to uncontrolled
exploitations, clearing and bush fires.
80
The Sahelian domain is now predominated by Phanerophytes (1.37%), which are ligneous
species (mainly Acacia), and Therophytes (61%), i.e. annual graminae. The populations of
some Acacia of fodder utility have been vulnerable because of the extent of pruning and
regeneration difficulties related, on the one hand, to the rainfall situation which is more and
more difficult, and on the other hand, to the grazing and trampling of seedlings, when they
exist, by cattle.
In the Sudanese domain where agricultural activities predominate, clearing leads to the
extinction of entire populations of species; only useful species are saved during clearing.
Logging concerns all the ligneous species traditionally used as timber. The targeted species
are numerous. In the absence of statistics concerning the proportions of the most sold species
or prized, it can be noticed that:



Detarium microcarpum (Detah with small fruits) is always very much exploited in
its distribution area. This species does not seem be in danger because of the
strength of stump sprouts;
Prosopis africana (Prosopis from Africa) has sparse populations and its
regeneration is endangered by logging (it has a high calorific power). Burkea
africana (Kurkea from Africa) is in the same situation;
Butyrospermum paradoxum subsp parkii (Shea nut tree), although protected, is
fraudulently and excessively exploited.
Today, since the demand is very high because of the population increase in the urban milieu,
and rural migrations in the west is important, we are experiencing an important logging of
fresh wood for fuel. In Bobo-Dioulasso, it can be noticed that since the devaluation of the
CFA Franc in 1994, the number of wood traders has increased a lot.
For example, it has been pointed out that the Kou massif is very deteriorated particularly
because of fraudulent logging and the negative impact of visitors. In the Mangodara region,
clearing for the cultivation of yam has degraded the soils and the vegetation up to the north of
Côte d'Ivoire. These human disruptions caused the scarcity of some species of fauna in
Dindérésso and Folenzo.
Around big urban centres, some protected species such Butyrospermum paradoxum (Shea nut
tree) suffer from excessive fraudulent logging, which results in the decline of the populations
of such species. In addition, the reduction of fallow period contributed to the scarcity of
species and populations in the agroforestry parks of neere (Parkia biglobosa), shea nut tree
(Butyrospermum paradoxum), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), grapefruit tree (Lannea
microcarpa), plum-tree (Sclerocarya birrea), etc. Actions undertaken as part of the "three
struggles " (struggle against bush fires, struggle against excessive logging and struggle against
animal ranging) have now been reinforced by a policy aiming at associating local
communities to the rational exploitation and sustainable management of forests, for example,
the protected forest of Nazinon, the protected forest of Gonsé, the GEPRENAF project, the
project GEF/Nazinga project, the protected areas project and the conservation of biological
diversity in the east of Burkina Faso, etc.
81
3.3 NON-BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The management or exploitation of the following categories of non-biological resources often
has an impact on biological diversity.
3.3.1 TOURIST SITES
The following tourist sites are clustered together and attached to urban centres in the country.
Bobo-Dioulasso and its neighbourhoods :
- city of Bobo-Dioulasso : Big Market, museum, Dioulassoba
Guimbi OUATTARA, Dioulassoba district
- village of Koro;
- Hippopotamuses pond of Bala;
- village of Borodougou;
- Dafra sacred pond;
- Guinguette (Spring of the river Kou).
mosque, tomb of
Banfora and its neighbourhoods :
- city of Banfora ;
- sugar zone: SOSUCO, SOPAL;
- Fabedougou Domes;
- Sindou Peaks;
- Cascade of Karfiguela;
- Waterfalls of Tourni ;
- Fruit zone Orodara;
- village of Tengrela.
Gaoua and its neighbourhoods:
- ruins of Loropeni;
- city of Gaoua;
- ruins of Kampti.
Ouagadougou and its neighbourhoods:
- city of Ouaga : Rood Woko market, museum, handicraft centre, MORO NABA
Palace ;
- Museum of Manéga;
- Crocodiles pond of Bazoulé;
- Fruit Project of Bazèga;
- Arstists’village of Laongo;
- Monastery of Koubri;
- city of Saponé.
82
Koudougou and its neighbourhoods:
- city of Koudougou;
- Project of Goundi;
- Pond of sacred crocodiles in Sabou;
- city of Réo;
- village of Sambisgo and its "Red Riders”.
Ouahigouya and its neighbourhoods:
- city of Ouahigouya;
- village of Ramatoulaye;
- city of Yako : hills of Pilimpikou;
- city of Gourcy;
- city of Titao.
Dori and its neighbourhoods:
- city of Dori;
- Oasis of Djomga;
- village of Gorgadji.
Pô and its neighbourhoods:
- village of Tiakané : Binger’s hut;
- village of Tiébélé : Kasséna habitat;
- Nazinga Ranch;
- Kaboré Tambi Park.
Gorom-Gorom and its neighbourhoods:
- Pond and Dunes of Oursi;
- Pond of Darkoy;
- Markoye Ranch;
- Sanctuary of the Birds of Oursi Pond.
Fada N'Gourma and its neighbourhoods:
- city of Fada;
- Lake of Tapoa;
- village of Namouno;
- waterfalls of Koudou;
- cliffs Gobnangou;
- W National Park;
- Kompienga Dam;
- fauna reserve of Arly;
- Bagré Dam;
- Hippopotamuses Pond of Lenga, called "Woozi" (this site has now been swallowed
up by the water of the Kompienga Dam).
83
Many other sites besides those above-listed exist, but they have not been valorised yet.
3.3.2 MINERAL RESOURCES
At the level of mining, many studies or prospecting have revealed that the country owns a
wide range of mineral indices such as gold, phosphorous, zinc, silver, lead, nickel, bauxite,
limestones and cement stones, magnetites, manganese, bituminous schists and diamond. For
the time being only gold has been the object of industrial exploitation, semi-industrial
exploitation, handicraft or gold washing. The existence of functional small china tiles units
can also been mentioned. The exploitation of the manganese of Tambao whose volume
reaches 17 million tonnes with a content of 54 %, as well as that of the huge sulphides of
Perkoa whose deposit is estimated at five million tonnes have started. All these mineral
activities have a negative impact on the environment and it is worth compensating each time
these activities are undertaken.
It must be pointed out that the exploitation of mining resources is confronted with physical
problems or obstacles, mainly the absence of water, isolation and the high cost of energy.
3.4 THREATS
The threats concerned in this chapter are constraints and trends, which impede the objective of
conservation and rational or sustainable use of biological diversity. Those endangering
biological diversity in Burkina Faso are in general of climatic and human origins. On this
specific level, there are many threats, which also impede efforts of conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity.
Because of the objet of the impact of such and such a threat, this may be considered as a
general threat applying to all the biological diversity, or as specific harming one or a few
species.
3.4.1 GENERAL THREATS
Biological diversity in Burkina has been subjected since the 70°s to major threats, which
disturb ecosystems and cause loss of species.
3.4.1.1 Drought and desiccation
Drought is defined as a period of one or two years whose rainfall is less than the average
(TOULMIN C, 1993). Scientists think droughts have always been a tragic and concomitant
phenomenon of life in the Sahel. Thus, drought periods have marked the history of Sahelian
countries. Their resulting duration, scope and damages have constantly increased in the recent
100 years (LEISINGER K. M./SCHMITT K., 1992).
Droughts have disrupted the equilibrium of many ecosystems and led to devastating effects on
croplands and cattle. Today, the consequences felt express themselves through both
economic impoverishment of populations and the impoverishment of biological diversity.
The droughts from 1968 to 1973, with a volume of rains of 15 to 40% less than the average,
resulted in losses of harvests and cattle, aggravating at the same time the competition for land
84
use. Plant and animal production systems have had to undergo modifications in order to adapt
to the situation. Farmers abandoned their traditional varieties with often a long cycle to adopt
new varieties with shorter cycle. Therefore, an impoverishment of the genetic patrimony was
being done unwillingly. Thus, many cultivated varieties of plant species were abandoned or
lost. The droughts have often led to the consumption of seeds following famines they cause.
The transformation of natural spaces (habitats of forestry or aquatic fauna) leads ipso facto to
the decline, even the extinction of some species of fauna dependent of these milieux. The
disruption in land use leads to the displacement of populations towards zones, which are
relatively favourable to agricultural and pastoral activities.
As to desiccation phenomena they are translated into the decrease in the groundwater table,
the drying up of streams and the death of the vegetation, particularly of ligneous species.
CAMILLA TOULMIN defines desiccation as an aridity process resulting from a dry period
whose duration is termed in decades. It leads inevitably to the loss of ligneous and herbaceous
vegetation, the drying up of some water bodies, the decrease in the level of the groundwater
table, etc.
The droughts of the 70°s and the persistent irregularity of rainwater in recent years have clearly
uncovered the need to have production systems adapted to climatic variations and capable of
producing the minimum required. In these conditions, it is imperative to have a wide range of
species, which are more productive and more resistant to drought.
3.4.1.2 Demographic growth and population movements
In 1960 the population of Burkina was 4 300 000 inhabitants, while in 1991 it was estimated
at 9 190 000 inhabitants. The significant consequences resulting from this important
demographic growth are, for example, the increase in land pressure and the rise in the demand
for food, clothes, housing, health care, education and employment. In Burkina Faso, the
satisfaction of the economic needs of the populations mainly comes from the exploitation of
biological resources.
3.4.1.3 Bush fires
In Burkina Faso, bush fires constitute one of the main threats to the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity. These fires are customary (as part of customary
ceremonies), criminal (intentional) or accidental. Every year, tens of thousands of hectares of
forests are destroyed by fire. If the phenomenon is not quickly controlled, all the expected
objectives from the protection and the development of natural formations in favour of
sustainable development will be compromised.
3.4.1.4 Degradation of soils
Soil degradation is a notion that can be related to the extent of soil exploitation. In effect, it is
caused by the inappropriate methods of land use in careless delicate or fragile ecological
conditions. Like any production means, soil deteriorates and needs to be recapitalised. Yet, in
the case of Burkina Faso, usually when soil deteriorates, it does not benefit from inputs to
enable its restoration, hence the aggravation of the process. Besides, the phenomenon of
desertification and overpopulation, which result in the scarcity of croplands leads to the
85
reduction or abandonment of the fallow period. All these realities no longer permit the
biological diversity to renew itself as it should.
3.4.1.5 Policies of natural resources management
Policies of natural resources management aim at attaining expected results in order to ensure
the well-being of populations. However, some development policies do not comply with the
concern of sustainable development so much sought today.
In effect, in a country with limited resources like Burkina Faso, there are often tendencies to
meet immediate objectives at the detriment of biological diversity:


the cultivation of yam and cotton which always need rich soils, explaining in this
way the massive and shifting clearing, which does not save plant species, disrupt
ecosystems, render vulnerable the fauna the latter shelter;
the abandonment of local varieties and breeds of cereals and domestic species in
favour of the more productive and exotic ones.
At the institutional and legal levels, there are also the following situations which do not
facilitate the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity:


since land belongs to the State and not to the person using it, the latter does not
carry out sustainable investments, such as plantations, fearing to be disapproved
one day;
traditional land system, based on land concession, particularly temporary loans,
constitutes a system of land insecurity for the beneficiary.
At the strategic level, there are two main threats on biological diversity. They are:


the lack of a true environmental education Programme which effectively mobilises all
the population for the protection of the environment;
the lack of knowledge concerning the endemism of flora and fauna specifies, which
does not permit to consider specific actions in favour of those that would be
threatened.
3.4.2 SPECIFIC THTREATS
As underlined earlier, specific threats in our case are those whose impact concerns only one or
a few components of biological diversity.
3.4.2.1 Specific threats to flora
The following non-exhaustive list gives the specific threats to flora:



overexploitation of raw materials of plant origin;
overgrazing resulting from excessive grazing of fodder and trampling of the
herbaceous stratum by cattle;
uncontrolled agro-pastoral practices;
86






the introduction of invading species which in the long run prevent the development
of other species (case of water hyacinths and attacks from parasites);
shifting cultivation which calls for new clearing as the farm becomes less
productive;
pollution of water due to the use of pesticides, which leads to the mortality of
some aquatic plant species;
excessive logging;
genetic erosion following the abandonment of local varieties;
silting of water bodies.
3.4.2.2 Specific threats to fauna
The specific threats to fauna are as follows :









poaching, with as adverse effect the insecurity of officers in charge of the
protection of fauna;
overexploitation of synergetic and halieutic resources;
genetic erosion through the abandonment of local breeds;
practices susceptible, in the medium or long term, of leading to a significant loss in
the diversity of domestic animals; it is the adoption of new breeds of big size (e.g.:
sheep, goats, hens) at the detriment of local breeds which are naturally more
adapted to local conditions, and the preference of males as compared to females
for practical reasons or conveniences (e.g. : donkeys, horses, dogs, etc.);
lack of gene banks of domestic animals;
decline or extinction of species of aquatic fauna resulting from the decrease in
water quantity;
destruction of or attacks on habitats;
silting of water bodies;
pollution of water due to the use of pesticides, which leads to the mortality of
some aquatic species.
3.5 SITUATION ON STTINGUP EX-SITU CONSERVATION
Burkina Faso has neither centres of genetic resources, nor a central gene bank. However, it
owns a few agencies in charge of the collection, handling, distribution, medium and long term
conservation and improvement of plant and animal genetic resources. They are: INERA (in
charge conducting and co-ordinating research activities in the domain of environment and
agriculture), the University of Ouagadougou (conventional institution in charge, among
others, of issues related to nature sciences and rural development), CNSF (National Centre of
Forestry Seeds) in charge of providing to research and development good quality forestry
seeds, CRPAs (whose main object is the promotion of agriculture and pastoralism in the
country’s regions).
These structures do not have human and material resources in quality and quantity to fulfil
their mission. For example, the station of Farakoba now has only one freezer for the
conservation of cereal samples. Another difficulty of these conservation institutions is that
almost all of them function on the basis of projects, which does not ensure their sustainability.
At the level of documentation, there is no solid and catalogued basic data. The data are found
in the archives of researchers, and today, the data on vulnerable, threatened or endangered
87
species have not been collected with precision for some categories of resources, such as
agricultural plants. For this category of plant resources, the status of collections undertaken is
limited to what is presented below.
3.5.1 COLLECTIONS
In this report, mention has been made of the collections of cereal, leguminous and tuber
plants and of a few ligneous species and fodder plants undertaken in Burkina Faso
since1960. Concerning the ex-situ conservation of agricultural plants, INERA has two airconditioned rooms (now out of use), one at the station of Kamboinsé and another one at the
Station of Farako-Bâ. Temperatures vary between 17 and 18°C, and seeds (all species taken
together) are preserved there. As far as ligneous plants are concerned, they are preserved by
CNSF in three different milieux : ambient temperature, one air-conditioned room and two
cold-storage rooms. But in reality, there is no gene bank with a national vocation, having a
well structured team. Each Programme of INERA manages its own work germplasm
according to improvement objectives, whereas the material preserved at CNSF is particularly
in accordance with demand priorities of species. There is no clearly defined national
Programme.
3.5.1.1 Cereal collections
3.5.1.1.1 Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
A first gathering of local forms of the "Guinensia" type of Sorghum was undertaken by IRAT
since 1959 at Saria and later enlarged with other samples kept at Farako-Bâ and 37 non
"Guinensia" forms collected in 1967 (Le Conte J., 1967). From the prospecting undertaken by
IRAT/CIRAD, INERA now has its disposal :

247 ecotypes of medium cycle sorghum at Saria (BALMA D., 1985) ;

127 ecotypes of long cycle sorghum at Farako-Bâ, from the first collections of
ICRISAT of 1979. At that time 800 local varieties were gathered from Burkina
Faso, Niger and Senegal (ICRISAT, 1980). During this period, ICRISAT’s
Phytogenetic Resources division received at Hyderabad (India) a collection of
210 ecotypes of sorghum from Burkina Faso (Mengesha M.M. and Prasada
Rao K. E. 1981) ;

389 ecotypes of Sorghum were gathered from the regions of the north, east,
and centre of the country by CIRP in 1981 ; this collection was continued in
1982 with DSA by the gathering of 197 ecotypes from the south-west. In 1984,
1985, 1986, U.O./IDR/CIRP gathered about 870 forms of cultivated sorghum
and about ten spontaneous forms throughout Burkina Faso.
Evaluation tests were conducted in the field with this material. Thus, taking into account the
ecological conditions of the origins of samples, most experiments were carried out on sites
close to these conditions. The objectives aimed at by these evaluations usually have a
morphological characterisation based on a certain number of criteria and the taking into
account of some diseases and parasites. Because of the sparse actions of collection, it cannot
88
be concluded that these samples are representative of natural diversity, and consequently
could not satisfy the needs of research. In the same way, as conservation conditions are
deplorable, many genetic resources have already been lost for good.
3.5.1.1.2
Millet (Pennistum americanum)
About 200 local ecotypes of millet have been collected by IRAT between 1960 and 1986
throughout the country.
ICRISAT gathered a certain number of traditional cultivars between 1977 and 1981 :

551 numbers from an ORSTOM/FAO/ICRISAT collection in Burkina Faso
and Niger, were evaluated in 1977;

1 112 sampled ears in 108 farms from the Mossi plateau in 1980 and 1981;

collection of early material (Iniadi) in the south-east of the country in 1981.
A coverage of the regions of the north, east, centre in 1981 and south-west in 1982, permitted
to gather respectively 211 ecotypes (with three spontaneous forms) and 76 ecotypes.
New prospecting series throughout the country, have allowed U.O./IDR/CIRP to gather some
333 ecotypes.
The various results show that Burkina Faso ecotypes display a great genotypic variability
(cycle, length, width and ear shape, seed colour...), characteristic of the climatic zones
roughly corresponding to the latitude. Therefore, one can distinguish :

in the north (Sahelian zone), early varieties (cycle of 90 to 100 days), with usually
long and thin ears having a cylinder shape, a roux yellow seed colour (Gaouri
Baleri) or light yellow (Gaouri Daneri). These seeds would be close to the forms
of "Haïni" millet from the west of Niger;

in the south (south-Sudanese zone), varieties with late cycle (120-150 days) having
short to medium ears (20 to 80 cm). In the southern and eastern part of this zone
(Pô, Diapaga), very early forms of 90 days (Iniadi Millet), with shorts ears (30 to
30 cm) having usually conic form and grey seeds are found;

in the centre (north- Sudanese zone), semi-late varieties (100 to 120 days), with
short and thin, spindle-shaped, conic or cylinder shaped ears (30 to 40 cm). These
ears become longer and longer in the north of the Mossi plateau. The colour of the
seed may be yellow (Kapelga) or grey (Kassabelga). In the western part of this
zone (Nouna), later varieties close to "Sanio" millets (130 to 150 days) are found.
The size of the ecotypes observed at Gampéla (Centre), presents a variation of 124 to 386 cm
(ZONGO J. D. et al. 1988). In general, in the south-west the biggest ecotypes are found in the
south-west.
The exploitation of the variability of the local ecotypes from the various prospecting made it
possible to provide vulgarisation with high performance material in population varieties.
89
As a result of millet allogamy, the conservation of collections proves to be difficult and is
undertaken in lines (live collections), and medium conservation is released in the same
conditions as sorghum. Some institutes such as IRAT thought about a permanent collection
with farmers in order to preserve variability.
3.5.1.1.3 Maize (Zea mays)
As early as 1962 IRAT gathered a certain number of mainly early local ecotypes from the
west and a population from the centre. It remains from this prospecting improved varieties
including some which have gone into vulgarisation and others preserved as live collections
(BALMA D., 1985).
The 1981 prospecting (CIRP- DSA), also permitted to gather 8 ecotypes from the north,
centre and east of Burkina Faso and 153 ecotypes from the southwest.
All this collection, i.e. 201 ecotypes, was handed over to INERA. The results from the
evaluation of these collections show that :




Burkina varieties differ in seed colour (yellow, white, reddish-brown) and the
length of their cycle;
In the centre and east, there is a predominance of ecotypes with more early yellow
seeds;
In the south-west, there is a mixture of white and yellow varieties with a good
frequency of the dentate white type;
there is no marked gradient between cycle length and latitude.
The problem of medium and long term conservation on the spot occurs in the same way as for
other cereals because of the limited capacities of freezers.
3.5.1.1.4 Rice (Oryza sativa, Oryza glaberrima)
A total of 527 samples were collected with a predominance of O. sativa (90 %) over O.
glaberrima (10 %).
The abandonment of glaberrima is general throughout the country and seems to come from
many factors, particularly the length of the cycle, ginning and the presence of more high
performance varieties of sativa.
This prospecting also revealed an uneven distribution of rice-growing as well as samples (60
% were collected in the southwest) due undoubtedly to the present distribution of rains in
Burkina Faso.
The most popular variety remains the sintane Diofor (cultivated everywhere). One notices a
clear predominance of improved varieties in the CRPA of Hauts-Bassins and the persistence
of the Konsourou and the series of alkam in the CRPAs of the centre and centre-south.
The prospecting did not permit to collect wild species of the type Oryza barthii and O.
longistaminata because of the drying up of their site and also the period (from November
1983 to February 1984) was not favourable for all the regions. A second prospecting would be
90
necessary. The results from the evaluations, taking into account the agronomic and
morphological characters and the enzymatic polymorphism, are expected.
3.5.1.2.1 Prospecting and collections of Cowpeas (Vigna sinensis or Vigna
unguiculata)
Cowpeas prospecting began in 1977 in Burkina Faso with the collection of about 40 local
ecotypes (BALMA, 1985).
In 1981 and 1982, in addition to the prospecting of cereals, respectively 40 ecotypes in the
north and about 90 ecotypes in the west, were gathered. At the time the Programme had a
collection of 161 local ecotypes called KVu (Kamboinsé Vigna unguiculata).
Evaluations and results: 109 entries of this collection were evaluated in Kamboinsé in 1982
for a few agronomic characteristics at 2 planting dates.
Ecotypes presented the following characteristics:




18 usually late and photosensitive entries with big, white and rough seeds (15-63
g/100 seeds) having a lying growth ;
45 non- photosensitive entries with creeping growth, early and 4 small ones (10-11
g/100 seeds);
a leguminous other than Vigna, from the Kerstingiella geocarpa species, with a
full cycle of 110 days;
45 without flowers.
All the material was tested for resistance to aphids, beetles, Striga, drought and for the
production of good quality seeds. A few varieties having displayed good characteristics are
used in crossing Programmes:




Ouahigouya local variety resistant to drought crossed with KN-1 (Kamboinsé
Niébé-1);
Kaya local variety with a good quality seed crossed with Gorom-local for
resistance to Striga;
Kaya local variety with a good quality seed crossed with TVu 2027 for resistance
to bruches;
Kamboinsé local variety resistant to Maruca, crossed with TVu 2027 for resistance
to beetles.
KVu-2 and KVu 20-2 entries seem to be the best, the local Gorom variety has gone into
vulgarisation for a long time. The varieties considered to be interesting are kept in live
collections and regenerated every 2 years.
3.5.1.2.2.Bambara groundnuts Prospecting and Collections (Voandzeia subterranea)
The first prospecting of Bambara groundnuts were undertaken, in addition to the prospecting
of cereals in 1982 and 59 local varieties were collected (southwest). In order to start the
Programme, 67 introductions from Mali (22), Nigeria (33), Senegal (2) and IITA/Ibadan (10)
were also carried out. A total of 45 entries including a local and exotic material was evaluated
for a few agronomic characters.
91
Diseases attacked most of the entries. After evaluations, the selection Programme conducted
a certain number of yield tests, which are still going on now.
Bambara groundnut collection (KVs = Kamboinsé Voandzou subterranea) is kept in live
collections and renewed every two years.
3.5.1.3 Tubers
Five crops: yam, sweet potato, cassava, araceae (Taro and Macabo) and Souchet (seasoning
plant) have been prospected. The evaluations dealt with an important number of
morphological characters taking into account the vegetative apparatus and the tuber.
3.5.1.3.1. Yams (Dioscorea spp.)
In each prospected region 10 samples have been collected per cultivar, i.e. about 300 samples
of cultivated yam. Local names were given to these cultivars, wild yams were only numbered.
Because of the overlap of some samples, the number of cultivars has been reduced to about
50.
Recorded cultivated varieties come from 4 species: Dioscorea cayenensis (80 %); Dioscorea
alata; Dioscorea bulbifera; Dioscorea esculenta;
There are 3 groups at the level of wild yams: Diocorea togoyensis, D. dumenterum , D.
Abyssinica.
3.5.1.3.2. Sweet potato (Ipomaea batatas)
Collected samples produced 6 clones distributed as follows: 2 clones with white-light white
skin, 2 clones with red-light white skin, 1 clone with yellow skin and 1 clone with white-light
yellow skin.
3.5.1.3.3. Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
Two clones have been identified, one with a red skin and another with a white skin.
3.5.1.3.4 Taro (Colocasia esculentus)
Only one variety of taro was prospected.
3.5.1.3.5. Macabo (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)
Samples resulted in a rain-fed variety and an aquatic variety.
3.5.1.3.6. Souchet or sugered peas (Cyperus esculentus)
Two varieties were recorded, one with a black skin and another with a yellow skin.
3.5.1.4 Fodder collections
92
A prospecting was undertaken in 1984 in the north of Burkina (ABOU F. et FOURNIER A.,
1984) and permitted to collect 40 taxons including : 23 annual Gramineae, 9 perennial
Gramineae, 3 annual Papilionaceae, 3 perennial Papilionaceae and 2 perennial Cyperaceae.
The samplings concerned 148 seeds (grains) and 106 vegetative samples.
An initial evaluation of the production potential of the collected ecotypes was made in 1986.
The following results of 24 ecotypes were recorded:



the local green matter varies from 0.130 T.M.S./ha (for Chloris pilosa ) to
18.7250 T.M.S./ha (for Pennisetum pedicellatum);
the total dry matter varies from 0.047 (same species) to 5.805 (same species)
T.M.S./ha ;
Panicum laetum and Echinochloa sp. Bearing up to 4 mowings.
3.5.1.5 Ligneous collections
Vulnerable, threatened, endangered or particularly economically important species now
benefit from sustained attention. Thus, the seeds of 67 species have been collected by CNSF.
Among them the following local species categorised below are concerned by this option:


threatened species: Acacia senegal, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Pterocarpus lucens;
vulnerable species: Adansonia digitata, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Bombax costatum,
Ceiba pentandra, Khaya senegalensis, Parkia biglobosa, Prosopis africana,
Acacia nilotica, Acacia raddiana, Acacia seyal, Acacia senegal, Acacia
sieberiana, Tamarindus indica, Sclerocarya birrea and Daniellia oliveri.
Efforts are also being made in order to be able to have seed collections of endangered species,
such as Celtis integrifolia and nium obesum (jackal baobab). An ex-situ conservation policy in
favour of other important or endangered species is making its way through.
In this way, CNSF, the agency in charge of the supply of good quality seeds to producers and
researchers undertook a study aiming at determining the conservation capacity of utilitarian
species, in order to make them available as much as possible. The species concerned are:
Acacia albida, A. gourmaensis, A. nilotica variety adansonii., A.. nilotica variety tomentosa.,
A. senegal, Balanites aegyptiaca, Bauhinia rufescens, Ceiba pentandra, Gmelina arborea,
Jatropha curcas, Khaya senegalensis, Parkia biglobosa, Parkinsonia aculeata, Prosopis
juliflora, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Pterocarpus lucens, Tamarindus indica and Ziziphus
mauritiana.
As far as Parkia biglobosa is concerned, a collection from 96 sources including each 25 to 30
separate descents was undertaken in the distribution area of the species in West Africa. In
addition, INERA, through the former IRBET owns herbarium collections of which the first
are from the fifties, as well as an arboretum. Other collections of the same kind of herbariums
were undertaken by specialised institutions for specific needs; this is the case of the Institut du
Développement Rural of UO and CNSF.
3.5.1.6 Entomological collections
93
With regard to the important position of insects in the life of humans, they also benefited from
a certain attention. In effect, many species of insects are useful whereas others are harmful.
Thus, many institutions whose activities deal with insects realised specific collections. The
main structures of this kind are found in the cities of Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou and
listed below.
a) In Bobo-Dioulasso:


MURAZ Centre, Bobo-Dioulasso;
INERA research centre of Farakoba and its attached services :
 Cotton Programme,
 Plant Protection Service,
 Plant Protection Laboratory;
 C.I.R.D.E.S.
b) In Ouagadougou:








the ONCHOCERCOSIS PROGRAMME;
IRBET now INERA Forestry Production Department;
The French Institute for Scientific Research and Cooperation Development
commonly know as “ORSTOM”;
C.I.R.A.D.;
C.N S.F.;
the Laboratory of Applied Entomology of the University of Ouagadougou;
the Laboratory of Natural History of CNRST;
the entomological collection of the INERA Station of Saria.
3.5.1.7 Collections of vertebrates
As far as vertebrates are concerned, few collections have been undertaken. Only the
Laboratory of Natural History of CNRST has a collection of domestic and wild fauna
containing some 6 000 samples of snakes, and an important collection of fishes.
94
CHAPTER 4: COMPLEXITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT.
4.1 INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS.
It is estimated at the present time that the regulation be it customary or modern, does not
sufficiently take in account the conservation of the biological diversity even though, on the
whole it already contributes to its conservation. Thus, in the traditional society, the use of natural
resource is submitted to a customary regulation under the control of a customary chief.
4.1.1 TRADITIONAL ORGANISATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT.
Nowadays, land problem constitutes one of the thorny elements in the issues of soil
management. In spite of the different reforms, customary practices are part of the daily life of
villagers. The natural resources are placed under the sovereignty of a land custodian or village
chief. In the traditional society land law is imperative at the level of the customary exploitation
and conflict resolution.
a) Access to land in the rural environment
Land is considered a property whose access is reserved to all, including strangers. However,
there are rules of land tenure. The different types of uses are: permanent use right that is
acquired by inheritance, or after clearing or yet by lineage (or segment of lineage) and temporary
use right that is a loan granted by a permanent use holder.
In the traditional environment, land is an inalienable property and by this fact it cannot be the
object of an exchange, of mortgage, of sale or even less definitive gift. The advantage of the
traditional system is that land is a sacred property and it escapes despoilment. Its major
inconvenience resides in the nature of the system of land concessions notably the temporary
loan, source of permanent insecurity for the recipient.
b) Traditional right of use of forest and other resources
The traditional African society in general and Burkinabè in particular distinguishes two types of
forests:


the sacred forests that represent places of cult and are therefore shielded from all forms of
exploitation. They are rarely more than ten hectares each;
the bush that represents the non-sacred forest areas whose exploitation is subject to rules and
customs generally under the authority of land owners or bush chief. It is there that rural and
other various activities take place.
Traditional rights of use include nuances according to the produce to which they apply.
95

Right over trees
The Right to exploit trees is exercised by the land custodian village chief, or the land
lineage chief or by the recipient owner of loaned land. Generally, the land owner sets
the rules for the exploitation of so-called sacred trees (or useful ones) such as the
néré, the shea nut, the baobab, the fig-tree, the kapok tree, etc.

Hunting Right
In general, traditional hunting in Burkina Faso is yearly and collective (beat). In
addition, it exists the individual hunt that is the regular hunter fact.

Fishing Right
The management of lakes is also the responsibility of customary authorities.
Permission to fish is given by the customary chief in the Mosi area, water chief in the
Bissa area and no one can fish without their authorisation. In the Gurunsi area, every
village can have a backwater that it exploits as it pleases the villagers. Traditionally,
there are some accredited fishermen.

Grazing Right
The lands traditionally reserved for agricultural activities raise the issue of breeders’
access to pastures, and their uses are regulated on a consensual and control basis.
4.1.2 STATE LEGISLATION ON NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
The Constitution of Burkina Faso states that all citizens have a right to a healthy environment,
but they also have a duty to protect resources of the environment (article 101 of the
constitution). Thus, the management of natural resources and the environment in general falls
within the competence of the law that determines the practical measures on the subject.
The legislation in force on the management of resources concerns several aspects of its
management, from land to irrigated perimeters, and is complex enough. Indeed, most of the
present laws concerning the environment are still characterised by their partial colonial nature.
As all the old French colonies of the subregion, Burkina Faso inherited the colonial legislation as
regards land, forestry, fauna and fishing in French West Africa. Although many texts were
subsequently adopted, the colonial legislation still subsists in many domains. The fact is that all
this set of colonial texts organises a protection with little efficiency of the environment.
Elaborated at a time when conceptions about natural resources protection were still recent, they
are limited in general to a utilitarian approach. Nowadays, this conception has evolved a lot to
consider the environment as a property that deserves a particular protection, no more in an
immediate perspective but for present and future generations.
Other evils that characterise the environmental legislation up to a recent date are: multiplicity,
inefficiency and often confusion.

The multiplicity of texts results from the fact that elaborated in the colonial and post colonial
contexts, their conception was not perceived in a globalised approach of promotion and
protection of the environment. It was an ad hoc legislation, destined to manage punctual
96
situations. This punctual approach, consisting in legislating just as the circumstances arose,
inevitably entailed some consequences that hindered the pursuit of coherent and effective
actions;

Confusion: to the multiplicity of texts is added the multiplicity of actors on the ground; all
things that create confusion in the sharing of roles and responsibilities linked to the
application of texts;

The ineffectiveness of this legislation results from the fact that most of these enforcement
texts were disseminated in the administration, without hold over the realities on the
ground. These texts imprinted with the colonial spirit resolutely opted for excessive
repression of the populations that did not understand why on their own land they were
excluded from the exploitation of the natural resources (e.g.: case of forest reserves).
To mitigate the perverse effects of these situations the authorities often proceed to the adoption
and/or rereading of some measures. For example, we can mention: the Agrarian and Land
Reorganisation, Forestry Code, Environmental Code, Water Code, Draft Orientation Texts on
Decentralisation, etc.
97
CHAPTER 5: ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY
The economy of Burkina Faso rests mainly on biological diversity. Indeed, the key sectors for
the development of the country (notably, agriculture, breeding, forestry, fisheries, wild fauna,
tourism, pharmacopoeia, trade) call on biological diversity. Many other needs of the
populations come from biological resources. For example, agro-pastoral production represents
a bit more than 38% of the Gross Domestic Product of the country, employs 85% of the
population and ensures 40% of export returns (OUEDRAOGO N. A., 1997).
MAIN IMPORTS
Machines, vehicles, electric products,
manufactured products, chemicals, oil
products, cereals, dairy products, raw
materials, lubricants, textiles
MAIN EXPORTS
Cotton, manufactured products, machines,
livestock, vegetables, leather and hides,
groundnuts, shea nuts
VALUE IN MILLIONS
VALUE IN MILLIONS
US $ : 552 US $
US $ : 321 US $
BALANCE OF TRADE IN MILLIONS US $ : - 231
% of main suppliers
% of main clients
Autres
17,6
Autres
19,7
PNS
27,8
PNS
27,6
Cote
d'Ivoire
24,9
Afrique
22,2
U.E
29,7
U.E
30,5
0
0
10
20
30
10
20
30
40
98
5.1 GENERAL SURVEY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The development of Burkina Faso essentially rests on biological diversity, in the sense that
the primary sector is the main supplier of the gross domestic product (GDP). However, it
must be admitted that data established concerning the degree of contribution of biological
diversity to the economy of the country are below the realities and potentialities, because the
biological resources remain very little evaluated and under-exploited. Table 27 presents the
evolution of the contribution of this sector to the GDP from 1990 to 1995.
Table 27: Evolution of the primary sector’s contribution to the GDP in % from 1990 to
1995
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
40.5
39
39.6
38.7
38.8
1992
1993
35.4
1990
1991
(Source : OUEDRAOGO N. A., 1997)
1994
1995
(Source : OUEDRAOGO N. A., 1997)
As indicated in this Table, the contribution of the primary sector to the GDP of Burkina Faso
evolved during the concerned period. From 1960 to 1994 the GDP of the country evolved on
an annual average of 1.1% (UNDP, 1997), what induced an appreciable rise of the per capita
income. Table 28 presents the evolution of the per capita income by decade from 1960 to
1994.
In spite of this evolution, Burkina Faso is among the poorest countries of the world.
According to the world report on human development (UNDP, 1997), poverty is understood
as : insufficiency of income, bad conditions of health or education, lack of access to
knowledge and possibilities of communication, impossibility to exercise some political rights
and to assert human rights, absence of dignity, confidence and self respect, deterioration of
the environment and impoverishment of the country. In the above cited report, detailed facts
and figures on the level of development of Burkina Faso are provided. Table 29 presents some
of these data by existing socio-economic development sectors. Appendix 4 gives the
indicators used by the UNDP to determine the level of sustainable human development of
countries.
99
Table 28: The evolution of the GDP in US $per capita by decade of 1960 to 1994
7
300
250
200
173
185
1960
1970
219
245
253
1980
990
1994
150
100
50
0
(Source : UNDP, 1997, World Report on the Lasting Human Development, p. 180.)
Table 29 : Level of development indicators by sector
Development sector
Decennial
1960/173 $
evolution of the
GDP (in US $)
per inhabitant
(year/GDP)
Access to goods Population with
and services
access to health
services 19901995 : 90%
Health
Population to
phsician ratio
1988-1991 :
33,333 : 1
Flow of
Total external
resources
debt in % of the
GDP in 1994 :
61%
1970/185 $
Population with
access to
drinking water
1990-1996 : 78%
Population by
nurse 1988
Indicators of development
1980/219 $
1990/245 $
Population with
access to
sewerage
Children
vacinated against
TB 1992-1995 :
78%
Public aid for
Public aid for
development
development
received, 1995 : received, 1995 :
483 million US $ 16.6% of GNP
1994/253 $
Rate of adult
Gross rate of
literacy in 1994 : schooling 199218.7%
1994 : 25%
Children
vacinated against
measles 19921995 : 55%
Public aid for
development
received, 1995 :
48 $ per
inhabitant
Public health
expenditure : 7%
of GDP
% of imports
compared to
exports, 1994 :
37%
5.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The uses that the Burkinabè population make of the constituent elements or products of the
biological diversity are numerous, but the main ones are: human feeding, energy, health,
domestic needs, handicraft, industry, trade, animal feed, culture, tradition, religion, rituals,
etc.
The socio-economic value of biological diversity resides not only in the direct use that one
makes of biological resources, but also in the indirect uses, such as the ecological services
(eg. : improvement of the quality of water and air, the fixing of nitrogen, the formation of
soils), socio-cultural uses (eg. : religious and cultural functions), recreational and aesthetic
100
uses (eg. : tourism of vision), etc. These uses end up at the level of feeding and the different
sectors of activity that are interested in biological diversity.
Thus, some thematic studies made in the context of the present monograph permitted to
determine the following supplies of biological diversity to the national economy in 1996:










Standing wood : 177, 394 million m3;
big fauna: 35 species whose inventory in not yet exhaustive;
fisheries: 12, 500 tons per year, of which only 7 000 tons are exploited;
forest and fruit seedlings produced in nurseries: 12 million of which only a
maximum of 4 million is transplanted;
cereals: 2,.963,.300 tons of which 129,700 tons of rice;
proteaginous: 665,000 tons of which 177,600 tons for cotton, 194,400 tons for
groundnuts and 41,170 tons for tubers;
livestock (bovines, ovine, caprines, porcines, asines, equines, camelins): 18 million
heads (breeding contributes 12% to the GDP and 16% to exports);
rabbits: 67,000 heads;
pets (dog and cats): 900,000 heads;
poultry: 22 million heads.
In addition to these elements, there is also the contribution of tourism of vision to the national
economy; for example, this contribution was 17,791, 548 US dollars in 1993.
Due to the socio-economic and sociocultural importance of the national biological diversity,
measures and policies of natural resources management have been developed since the
colonial period.
5.2.1 BENEFITS OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The economy of Burkina Faso essentially depends on agro-pastoral produce, therefore on
biological diversity. Indeed, it is this diversity that constitutes the source of subsistence of the
populations and that provides the essential of export produce and products among which we
can cite cotton, green beans, livestock, leathers and skins, sheanuts, etc.
Benefits derived from biological resources in Burkina Faso depend on the virtues that the
different ethnic groups of the country give to the species. Indeed, it must be noticed that the
importance of a plant or animal species, through its products, is relative and evolutionary:
relative when we consider the diversity of uses within ethnic groups, evolutionary because
with time a product can be the object of great interest or of no interest on the part of the
populations. For example, the use made of Acacia macrostachya seeds (Acacia with thick
ears) for feeding in the Moosé and Samo areas is completely unknown to a lot of other ethnic
groups in Burkina Faso. Also, the benefits that will be mentioned below are those that are the
most commonly known.
101
5.2.1.1 Plants (flora)
The main types of products derived from plants in Burkina Faso are shown in table 30
Table 30: Plant products
Plants
Ligneous
Herbaceous
Types of products
Timber
Timber
Firewood
Lumber
Charcoal
Oilseeds
Kapok
Gum and resin
Copal
Tannins
Rubber
Bamboo
Fruits
Food (grains, leaves)
Medicines
Fodder
Others (Ornament, rope, mats and secos, chairs and
beds, shade, poison, chewing stick, utensils …)
Food (cereals, leguminous, tubers)
Market garden produce
Cotton
Sugar cane
Medicines
Fodder
Building materials (straw, fibres)
Others (weaving)
These benefits are derived from the flora, either in the wild or tamed state. It is important to
underline that the number of species established by type of product is not even determined
with accurateness. Nevertheless, this document presents the existing data below, particularly,
with regard to the importance of the socio-economic and socio-cultural ligneous species that
are relatively more studied in this respect, a few data on the agricultural herbaceous species of
marked economic interest.
5.2.1.1.1 Inventory of ligneous species of socio-economic importance
In the main document of the Strategic Plan of Scientific Research (agricultural research
section), and for the improvement of forest resources, fifty six (56) species among the most
utilised in Burkina Faso were indexed (Table 31)
On the basis of a listing according to nine types of uses: human food, energy, health, domestic
needs, handicraft, industry, agriculture, animal feed and ecological interest, sixteen species
were retained for the programme of forest resource improvement according to their degree of
use. These species, by their wood and various non-ligneous productions that they offer, are of
marked socio-economic importance.
102
They are:
Acacia albida, Acacia senegal, Adansonia digitata, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Azadirachta
indica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Borassus aethiopum, Butyrospermum paradoxum, Detariun
microcarpum,Khaya senegalensis, Maerua crassifolia, Parkia biglobosa, Prosopis africana,
Sclerocarya birrea, Tamarindus indica and Ziziphus mauritiana.
On the basis of the nomenclature of AUBREVILLE A., 1949, for woods, and various studies
on species of various interest (BOGNOUNOU O., 1987; GUINKO S., 1985; PERROT E.,
1925 ; etc.), an open list can be drawn concerning species of marked socio-economic interest
in Burkina Faso.
This list is global, and does not take into account the parameter of diversity of uses according
to the ethnic groups and ecological zones. Indeed, it must be admitted that the importance of a
plant species, through its productions is relative and evolutionary: relative if we consider the
diversity of use among the different ethnic groups, relative and evolutionary through history
and dependent on the economic demand of the moment, especially in market economy.
Thus, the seed of Acacia macrostachya is at the basis of the highly appreciated culinary
specialty in the Mossi, Samo, and Léla areas. This use is totally unknown in the Bwaba areas,
pending its discovery in the context of exchanges by contact between migrating populations
and the native ones. The edible leaves of Pterocarpus lucens are not eaten among the Bobo
and Bwaba populations, whereas they are the basis of a highly appreciated sauce in the Samo
and Yadga areas.
Table 31: Most commonly used ligneous species in Burkina Faso
Species
1. Acacia albida
2. Acacia macrostachya
3. Acacia nilotica var. adansanii
4. Acacia nilotica var. tomentosa
5. Acacia nilotica senegal
6. Adansonia digitata
7. Afzelia africana
8. Anogeissus leiocararpus
9. Azadirachta indica
10. Balanites aegyptica
11. Blighia sapida
12. Bmbax costatum
13. Borassus acthiopum
14. Boscia senegalensis
15. Boswellia dalzielli
16. Butyrospermum paradoxum
17. Canarium schweinfurthii
18. Ceiba pentandra
19. Celtis integrifolia
20. Combretum micranthum
21. Commiphora africana
22. Crateva religiosa
23. Daniellia oliveri
24. Dalbergia melanoxylan
25. Detarium microcarpum
26. Diospyros mespiliformis
27. Entada africana
28. Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Degree
8
2
6
6
7
7
6
7
7
7
8
6
7
2
1
10
1
5
4
5
2
1
6
4
7
8
5
6
Species
29. Fagara xanthoxyloide
30. Gmelina arborea
31. Guibourtia copallifera
32. Guiera senegalensis
33. Hyphaene thebaica
34. Holarrhena floribunda
35. Isoberlinia doka
36. Khaya senegalensis
37. Landolphia heudelotii
38. Lannea microcarpa
39. Maerua crassifolia
40. Mitragyna inermis
41. Nauclea latifolia
42. Parinari curatelifolia
43. Parkia biglobosa
44. Prosopis africana
45. Pterocarpus erinaceus
46. Pterocarpus lucens
47. Rauvolfia vomitora
48. Saba senegalensis
49. Salvadora persica
50. Sclerocarya birrea
51. Sterculia setigera
52. Tamarindus indica
53. Vitex doniana
54. Voacanga africana
55. Ximenia americana
56. Ziziphus mauritania
Degree
8
4
4
6
6
8
2
10
2
5
8
2
2
2
8
7
5
5
8
2
1
8
8
9
2
8
5
5
103
Degree of use (1 = least utilised species; 10 = most utilised species)
Source: Scientific Research Strategic Plan.
After this qualitative presentation of the main species of socio-economic interest, some data
on their products that follow permit to situate their importance in the Burkinabè economy.
Historically the region of Bobo-Dioulasso was at the beginning of the century an important
producer of natural rubber. From the natural planting of Landolphia heudelotii, the region
provided in a year (KNIGHT A., 1905) seventy (70) tons of rubber. The introduction of hevea
unfortunately ruined this economic hope. However, during World War II, Burkina and the
different States of the ex-AOF (French West Africa), provided 3,446 tons of Landolphia
heudelotii rubber as their contribution to the war effort against Hitlerien fascism
(AUBREVILLE A., 1949). The latex of the liana still continuues to be exploited but it is used
solely as “dissolution” for the retreading of tyres.
If Carapa procera was exploited at the beginning of the century for its oilseeds (the demand
was high from Marseille), the tree is only quite important locally. The seed continues to
provide oil used in cosmetics and soap factory; ground, it is used in pharmacopoeia as antidiarrhoeal and to attenuate the effect of palm wine from Borassus aethiopum.
As for Canarium schweinfurthii, Emile PERROT (1925) signalled the sale of balls of resin
gums of this essence on the Orodara market. The incense of the country continues to be used
and commercialised, but it remains of local importance as well as the resin gums of other
Burseraceaes (Commiphora africana, Boswellia dalzielii).
We can signal as a source of vegetable fat Pentadesma butyracea giving Lami butter.
Forgotten by AUBREVILLE A. in his excellent work that is his Sudano-Guinean Flora; this
relict tree forms some small populations in Tagara and the region of Sokouraba in the
province of the Kénédougou.
The enumeration could be long. We are therefore going to limit the list voluntarily. In placing
ourselves from the point of view of the centre of interest of the foresters, it appears to us
interesting to deliver the economic appreciation of Aubréville on the plant productions of the
forest species of the dry regions of West Africa, productions that did not benefit from enough
interest like those of the dense forest regions.
a) The main types of ligneous production
The local species (AUBREVILLE A., 1949) will be enumerated by main type of production
by taking up the author's nomenclature. The scientific partners are actualised in taking up
those in force in the last edition of Flora of West Tropical Africa of Hutchinson L.J. & Dalziel
J.M. revised by Hepper F.N.

Ebony tree
The main species that provide wood for woodwork are :
 Mahogany of Senegal, Caïlcédrat (Khaya senegalensis) : dense, colourful
Mahogany, used for artisan manufacture of most furnishings;
 Vène (Pterocarpus erinaceus) : this essence gives a light yellowish, brown veined
violaceae wood with polished beauty;
104


Ebony of Senegal (Dalbergia melanoxylon) : veined wood, classified as ebony.
Timber
The list of species that provides wood for building is composed of :

















Khaya senegalensis;
Pterocarpus erinaceus;
Dalbergia melanoxylon;
Afzelia africana, of the best dry woods,;
Isoberlinia doka;
Acacia nilotica variety adansonii / tomentosa variety, gases to tannifer pods;
Erythrophleum guineense;
Afrormosia laxiflora;
Anogeissus leiocarpus;
Prosopis africana, wood very hard;
Celtis integrifolia;
Diospyros mespiliformis;
Daniellia oliveri, wood of caisserie,;
Acacia sieberiana;
Borassus aethiopum, the trunk used whole or split, constitutes a precious
construction material for building bridges;
Hyphaene thebaica, important construction material in Sahelian zones where
construction materials are relatively rare.
Firewood and charcoal
Wood constitutes the main source of energy in Burkina Faso. Also, we can easily
understand the importance given to firewood by the populations of the country. Except for
some essence and tree specimen that are the object of socio-cultural value and
Stereospermum kunthianum of which the inhalation of the smoke makes man feel dizzy, all
the other species are used as firewood. Species with hard wood are used for charcoal (e.g. :
Butyrospermum paradoxum, Pterocarpus erinaceus (vene), Pterocarpus lucens,
Tamarindus indica, Diospyros mespiliformis, etc.)

Oilseeds
Sheanut tree (Butyrospernum paradoxum) : its seed gives consistent fat (shea butter) with
multiple uses (food, cosmetics, pharmacopoeia, etc.).

Kapok trees
These are the productive kapok species, such Bombax costatums and Ceiba pentandras.

Gum trees
Gum is an exudation that is produced in the dry season on the trunk of some plant species,
essentially of the Acacia kind. The gum produced by Acacia senegal is one of the best,
both by its adhesive properties and water solubility. The very dense species (more than
105
100 trees per hectare), dense (30 to 100 trees per hectare), less dense (5 to 30 trees per
hectare) are especially important in zones of Sahelian climate.
Besides Acacia senegal, other species produce gum. These are : Acacia seyal, Combretum
nigricans, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Sterculia setigera, Acacia nilotica.

Copalierses
Guibourtia copallifera, species exuding a hard copal called copal of Guinea.

Tannins species
- Acacia nilotica variety adansonii, Acacia nilotica variety tomentosa, Acacia nilotica
variety nilotica, Burkea africana, Hymenocardia acida, Bridelia ferruginea.

-
Latex
Landolphia heudelotii
Manihot glaziovii
Butyrospermum paradoxum

Bamboos
There is only one species of bamboo that grows naturally in Burkina Faso ; it is about
Oxytenanthera abyssinica, that provides hollow bamboo.
A particular mention must be made of the different wood species used in handicraft,
construction and for different services, species for which the demand remains permanent.
GUINKO S., 1984, gives many examples of them.
If the availability of some species (Lannea microcarpa, Sclerocarya birrea, that are used for
making wooden bowls) are relatively important, others are becoming rarer and rarer because
of some overexploitation and difficulties of natural and assisted regeneration. We will
mention species such as Pseudocedrela kotschyii, Prosopis exelsa, as well as the particular
case of relict forest gallery species (Chlorophora africana, Antiaris afticana), exploited by
modern sawmills in the province of Comoé.
b) Ligneous species of other interests
We will mention some groups of species which deserve a particular attention. These are :
improvable fruit species by selection or grafting, improvable ornamental plants by selection or
stuffing, trees with food organs (leaves, fruits, seeds), medicinal plants, local ligneous species
of fodder interest.

Improvable fruit species by selection or grafting
This list is inspired by Roberty,1950, but it has been improved.
Annona senegalensis
Cordia myxa
Diospyros mespiliformis
Lannea spp.
Parinari curatelifolia
Blighia sapida
Detarium microcarpum
Gardenia erubescens
Nauclea latifolia
Saba senegalensis
106
Sclerocarya birrea
Strychnos spinosa
Tamarindus indica
Ximenia americana

Spondias mombin
S. innocua
Vitex doniana
Ziziphus mauritiana
Ornemental plants
Various acacia in quickset hedges
Cassia sieberiana
Heeria insignis
Stereospermum kunthianum
Bauhinia rufescens
Erythrina senegalensis
Feretia apodanthera
Securidaca longepedunculata
Strophanthus sarmentosus
Darlings nucifera
We can add to this list the different shade trees or trees with landscaped function (Ficus sp.,
Cola cordifolia, Khaya senegalensis, etc.) and the various species of ritual value.

Food organ (leaves, fruits, seeds) trees
Acacia macrostachya (seeds)
Adansonia digitata (leaves, fruits)
Afzelia africana (leaves)
Annona senegalensis (flowers, fruits)
Balanites aegyptiaca (leaves, fruits, seeds)
Bombax costatum (flowers, chalice, in the Moosi area, Bissa, Lela...)
Boscia senegalensis (fruits)
Capparis corymbosa (fruits)
Crateva religiosa (leaves)
Detarium microcarpum (fruits)
Diospiros mespiliformis (fruits)
Lannea microcarpa (fruits)
Lannea acida (fruits)
Ficus gnaphalocarpa (leaves, fruits)
Maerua angolensis (leaves)
Piliostigma reticulatum and P. thonningii (leaves) acidification of
water for the cooking of “tô”
Pterocarpus lucens (leaves)
Securidaca longepedunculata (leaves)
Tamaridus indica (leaves, fruits)
Vitex doniana (leaves, fruits)
Ziziphus mauritiana (fruits)

Remarkable medicinal plants
Acacia albida
Agave sisala
Allium sativum
Arachis hypogaea
Azadirachta indica
Balanites aegyptiaca
Cajanus cajan
Mentha piperita
Mentha viridis
Moringa oleifera
Parkia biglobosa
Pisum sativum
Punica granatum
Rauvolfia vomitora
107
Capsicum annum
Capsicum frutescens
Carapa procera
Carica papaya
Cassia italica
Cassia occidentalis
Cassia sieberiana
Catharanthus roseus
Citus limonum
Darlings nucifera
Combretum micranthum
Cymbopogon citratus
Datura stramonium
Danillia oliveri
Elaeis guineensis medicinal
Elaeis guineensis
Glicine soy
Holarrhena floribunda
Lawsonia alba
Lawsonia inermis

Perfume plants
Ocimum spp.
Cymbopogon citratus

Ricinus communis
Saccharum officinarum
Securidaca longepedunculata
Sesamum indicum
Solanum nigrum
Sterculia setigera
Strophantus hispidus
Tamarindus indica
Thevetia neriifolia
Tinospora bakis
Trichilia roka
Voacanga africana
Xanthoxylum xanthoxyloides
Zea mays
Zingiber officinale
Mentha spp.
Cymbopogon giganteus
Local ligneous species of fodder interest
All zootechnicians (GILLET, H., 1980) now agree to set to about 20% the minimum ligneous
fodder part in the food ration of bovines in the dry season, in Sahelian and North-Sudanese
zones.
Because of their richness in proteins, mineral salts, phosphorus and oligo elements, these
species contribute in a non-negligible manner to the food and physiological balance of the
livestock. In addition, their availability (leaves, flowers, fruits) in full dry season, when there
is no grass, contributes to the survival of livestock during the critical periods. The ligneous
species presented in Table 32 have an aerial foliage that contains a high nutritious value:
As far as fruits are concerned, in spite of the limited knowledge on their nutritious value, they
are of a non-negligible contribution. Here are two examples for illustrative purposes:
Acacia albida
Balanites aegyptiaca
Proteins (%)
Phosphorus (%)
11.7
11.2
0.12
0.12
108

Food complement of plant origin (sources: BOGNOUNOU O., 1978; SAVONNET G.,
1973; SCHNELL R., 1957; PROST A. and WEDRAOGO J., 1951).
These foods are provided by the simple picking of organs (leaves, fruits, seeds, tubers,
rhizomes, roots etc.) of spontaneous plants not being part of an agricultural network, or at the
stage of protoculture (case of Gynandropsis gynandra). From food point of view, their
importance is not to be underestimated, because these plants contribute, in a direct or indirect
way, to food balance, notably in the period of scarcity.
Food complements available in Burkina Faso and analysed by ORANA, Dakar, are:
- Starchy food : Tacca involucrata; Walnut and graines : Adansonia digitata, Balanites
aegyptiaca, Boscia senegalensis,Parkia biglobosa;
- Vegetables and leaves: Adansonia digitata, Amaranthus viridis, Cassia tora, Corchoru
olitorius, Ficus gnaphalocarpa, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Moringa pterygospenna (Mr.
Oleifera) Amaranthus spinosus, Piliostigma reticulatum, Ceratotheca sesamoïdes,
Crateva religiosa, Gymnandropsis pentaphylla (G. Gynandra), Leptadenia lancifolia (L.
hastata);
- Fruits : Adansonia digitata, Cola cordifolia, Diospyros mespiliformis, Landolphia
heudelotii, Parkia biglobosa Borrassus aethiopum Detarium microcarpum, Ficus
gnaphalocarpa, Landolphia senegalensis,(Saba senegalensis), Spondias mombin.
Plants that give food complements in period of scarcity are: Dactyloctenium aegyptium,
Setaria pallidefusca, Slylochiton hypogaeus.
Table 32: Nutritional Values of some ligneous fodder species
(according to LE HOUEROU H.N., 1980)
Species
Raw proteins (%) Phosphorus (%)
Non-silicate
minerals (%)
Acacia radianne
Acacia senegal
Acacia seyal
Balanites
aegyptia
Cadaba farinosa
Celtis integrifolia
Commiphora
africana
Acacia albida
Khaya
senegalensis
Maerua
crassifolia
Lonchocarpus
laxiflorus
Pterocarpus
erinaceus
16
22
18
25
0.20
0.20
0.27
0.11
7.50
8.00
0.20
10.00
Degree of
appetence (scale:
1 to 5)
5
5
5
5
25
11
11
0.20
0.20
0.17
30.00
12.50
9.40
4
5
5
17
15
0.25
0.16
6.30
6.40
5
5
20
0.12
14.50
4
18
0.13
?
4
15
0.15
7.60
5
Degree of appetence: (1 = little appete; 5 = very appete)
109
5.2.1.1.2 Main plant production inventory (herbaceous farm) of marked economic interest
(KELLERMANN J., 1967).
Among the herbaceous farm crops some have produce that are of great economic interest.
These are :
- cereals: Sorghum, Rice, Corn, Barley,;
- vegetable plants: Green cabbage, Cauliflower, Turnip, Radish, Cucumber, Melon,
Green beans, Tomato, Onion, Garlic, Okro;
- fruit crops: * Irrigated : Citrus fruits, Avocado tree, Banana tree, Date palm;
* Non-irrigated : Cashew, Mango tree, Strawberry plant ;
- sugar plants: Sugar cane;
- oleiferous plants: Groundnut, Sesame, Soy, Sunflower, Castor oil plant;
- stimulating plants: Tobacco;
- textile plants: Sisal, Cotton;
- tubers: Cassava, Yam, Sweet potato.
5.2.1.1.3 Species of socio-cultural importance
a) Generalities
Correspondences, messages and beliefs exist between the African and his plant environment.
This is translated notably by the conservation and protection of sacred woods, even the
veneration of a certain number of species.
In a country like Burkina Faso that has about sixty ethnic groups with a socio-cultural
diversity, where each nationality has its own culture bound to species of its environment and
the ecological conditions where it lives, the identification of socio-cultural species is not easy,
and requires detailed research, notably ethnobotanic, anthropological, cultural etc.
A certain number of species can however be indexed and grouped in 4 main categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
those of groves or sacred woods (generally located in villages)
those used to make sacred masks (woods, leaves and fibres)
those with totemic and sacred value
those struck with various prohibitions (prohibition to cut, prohibition to eat, etc.)
b) Species of socio-cultural importance
Referring to works of CHEVALIER A. , OUEDRAOGO J., 1968, RETELL - LAURENTIN,
O. KABORE and field notes of BOGNOUNOU O, species shown in Table 33 are used in
making masks.
110
Table 33 : List of main species used for the making masks.
Botanical name
Mossi name
Afzelia african
Lannea microcarpa
Sanbga
Cassytha filiformis
Canarium schweinfurthii
Tamarindus indica
Pusga
Adansonia digitata
Twèga
Gardenia erubescens
Garzungo
Ficus sp
Wuomsièga
Khaya senegalensis
Kuka
Sclerocarya birrea
Noabga
Parkia biglobosa
Rouaga
Butyrospermum paradoxum
Taanga
111
c) Ligneous species of sacred woods
Sacred woods are areas protected on the customary plan for sacred rituals, often constituting
"real sanctuaries of nature". In the analysis of these particular formations CHEVALIER A,
1950, had identified the main species of it in French Sudan (present Mali) and in regions
where ethnic groups such as the Sénoufo found in Burkina Faso live.
Table 34 : Ligneous species of sacred woods
Scientific name
Adansonia digitata
Albizia chevalieri
Anogeissus leiocarpus
Anitaris africana
Borassus aethiopum
Ceiba pentandra
Combretum micrantum
Diospiros mespiliformis
Elaeis guineensis
Khaya senegalensis
Pachystela argentea
Pterocarpus erinaceus
Mossi name
Toèga
Donsendouaga
Siiga
Bligia sapida
Koanga
Gounga
Randga
Goanka
Kuka
English name
Baobab
Albizia of Chevalier
Birch of Africa
Delicious Blizia, Finzan
Rônier
Kapok tree
Kinkéliba
Ebony tree
Palm tree
Mahogany
Noèga
Vène
For the case of Burkina Faso, GUINKO S., 1985, by a phytosociological and
phytogeographic analysis of wooded relicts, identified three main groupings:



grouping under Antiaris africana and Chlorophora excelsa (in the
phytogeographic districts of the western Black Volta and Comoé);
grouping under Anogeissus leiocarpus and Pterocarpus erinaceus (most
widespread, and situated in the northern soudanese phytogeographic
domain);
grouping under Anogeissus leiocarpus and Combretum nigricans elliotii
variety.
Out of the total ligneous and herbaceous species recorded in these different groupings 77.6%
are elements of the Sudanese-Zambezian flora and 3.5% of the Guineo-Congolese flora, plus
other phytogeographic elements.
5.2.1.2 Wild vertebrates
The contribution of products from mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles and amphibians to the
national economy is very substantial, because it is around 29%.
Principal benefits from animal resources are enumerated in Table 35.
112
Table 35: Products and services from animal resources
Animals
Domestic
Products and services
Food (meat, milk, eggs)
Exportation of livestock
Production of leather and hides
Tourism of vision
Transport
Animal traction
Guarding
Food (meat)
(Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians)
Trophies
Tourism of vision (safaris)
Pharmacopoeia
Hunting sport
Food (meat)
Fishing sport
Wild
Fishes
5.2.1.2.1 Domestic animals
Among the products from fauna, those of domestic animals occupy a place of choice, notably
at the food and commercial level. Data on the economic values of these products can be
appreciated as shown below.
According to data collected in SANA O., 1997, the contribution of breeding to the GDP
increased with the passing of years, from 7.5% in 1985 to 11.5% in 1995. Table 36 presents
data by year of the period considered.
Table 36: Contribution of breeding to GDP from 1985 to 1995
Year
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
National GDP (in Contribution of breeding to the
thousands of F CFA) national GDP)
Valued added (in Proportion
thousands of F CFA)
664 093
49 507
7.5%
668 964
56 193
8.4%
670 059
56 285
8.4%
727 175
58 174
8.4%
776 429
59 785
7.7%
772 852
62 601
8.1%
780 964
65 601
8.4%
775 159
68 214
8.8%
850 683
69 080
8.1%
1 115 636
114 998
10.3%
1 236 801
141 751
11.5%
SOURCE : NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS AND DEMOGRAPHY
113
In addition to this global contribution of breeding to the GDP, there are the following
different uses of domestic animals by kind that it is advisable to enumerate.

Bovines (ox or Bos indicus).
Oxen are used more and more like animals of traction for ploughing farms. Bulls are
used for the customary (funerals, rituals, etc.) and religious ceremonies (Ramadan and
Tabaski) in most of the regions of Burkina Faso. In some regions of the country, like
the provinces of Bougouriba and Poni, oxen are used in dowry in the context of
marriages. Cow milk constitutes a substantial contribution in the food of populations.

Ovines (sheep or Ovis aries)
Sheep are used for sacrifices in the context of ancestral and Moslem religions. Hence,
for example, AID EL KEBIR or feast of Tabaski, is nicknamed “feast of sheep”,
because of the nearly indispensable character of the sacrifice of ram on this occasion
by faithful Moslem.

Caprines (goat or Capra hircus)
Caprines or domestic goats, are equally used for feasts and sacrifices. The he goat is
sometimes considered a sacred animal in the traditional beliefs of some regions (e.g. :
some localities of the Bissa area and of the province of Kénédougou), and from this
fact it can only be killed with the will of the ancestors whose agreement is only
obtained by sacrificial rituals.

Porcines (pig or Sus cristatus)
The pig is only used for the production of meat, but its consumption is proscribed by
the Moslem religion. The relative easiness of its breeding and the high degree of its
productivity make of it an important means of contribution of currency for people who
raise it.

Asines (donkey or Equus asinus)
The donkey constitutes a powerful means of transportation in Burkina Faso and in
other countries of the sub-region: The Burkinabè film-maker, Ismael OUEDRAOGO,
rightly nicknamed it “the docker of the Sahel”, because it is the animal that transports
everything in this zone (traction of ploughs and carts, transportation of wood, blocks
and millet stalks, transportation of man and water etc.).

Equines (horse or Equus cabali)
The horse is used by the Burkinabè people as means of transportation and for traction.
It is an animal of prestige which is often used for parades during customary
ceremonies of village chiefs.
114

Camelines (dromedary or Camelus dromaderus)
The dromedary is an efficient means of transporting possessions and materials. It also
serves to pull water from deep wells. Dromedary milk is of good quality and is used in
the preparation of cheese.

Dogs (Canis familiaris)
The dog is an animal of company that is especially used for taking care of dwellings
and for hunting. Some traditionalists sometimes use it for sacrifices.

Cats (Fellis catus)
The cat is equally an animal of company that essentially serves those who raise it to
get rid of some harmful animals (mice, rats) and dangerous animals (such as the snake
) for man.

Hens (Gallus gallus) and guinea-fowl (Numida meleacus)
The hen and the guinea-fowl present a lot of interests in the Burkinabè society. Thus,
they are used to make ritual sacrifices and for gifts to strangers. They are equally
sources of proteins and currency.
5.2.1.2.2 Wild animals
With regard to the wild vertebrates, we can affirm that they play an important role in the life
of Burkinabè communities. Their socio-economic values are very important. Thus,
all
vertebrates that exist in Burkina Faso participate in one way or the other in the satisfaction of
fundamental needs of the rural and urban communities, and of tourists in the domain of food,
traditional medicine, education, culture, scientific research and leisures.
On the economic plan the wild vertebrates bring their share of contribution through hunting,
tourism of vision and synergetic tourism.
Through the organisation of hunting in Burkina, vertebrates such as mammals, birds and in a
least measure reptiles, allow public finance, economic operators and rural populations to get
yearly incomes of over two billion CFA Francs, and to produce more than 50 tons of game
meat per year, of a monetary value of more than 600 million CFA francs. The most exploited
species are, by order of importance of the number of species killed : francolines (Francolinus
coqui, F., Albogularis, F., Bicalcaratus), falsely called partridge, the African hare (Lepus
capensis), the warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), cobe redunca (Redunca redunca), the
ourebi (Ourebia ourebi), the cobe of buffon (Kobus kob), the bubale (Alcelaphus buselaphus),
the hippotrague (Hippotragus equinus), the buffalo (Syncerus caffer), guib harnacea
(Tragelaphus scriptus) and cob defassa (Kobus ellipsiprymnus). Burkina Faso records at least
1500 hunters annually and half of them are foreign, especially French.
Ecological tourism, for its part, records more than 5000 tourists per year, and it is essentially
Fauna Reserves that are visited (National Park of Arly, Nazinga Game Ranch).
A summary investigation and a visit to a market specialised in the sale of medicinal products
(BOINSE YAR market in Ouagadougou), permit to realise the importance of vertebrates in
115
the domain of pharmacopoeia. Sheds of the aforementioned market, located in full centre of
Ouagadougou, are packed with an important quantity of skins, bones and various parts of
vertebrates.
A tradipractician even asserted that any animal possesses some remedy in it, but that it is
necessary to know the useful part of its body and its association to other complementary
products.
On the cultural plan, a lot of vertebrates and especially the wild mammals still constitute an
inexhaustible source of inspiration. Several cultural events in Burkina Faso use various parts
of the vertebrate body as masks and motives. Besides, almost all the carved masks represent
the totality or some of wild animals. Vertebrates also intervene in education through tales and
stories. For example, they often embody power (the lion), intelligence (the hare), wisdom (the
elephant), silliness (the hyena), and are therefore used in oral expression to moralise society.
Aquatic fauna also has important economic and social uses. It is especially the fish that
occupies a place of choice in this domain. In general, all species of fish present in Burkina
Faso are consumed by the populations. However, some of them are sacred: This is the case in
Bobo-Dioulasso where the mudfish is sacred for natives of this city. Species most exploited
are those that are found in most of the lakes, notably Tilapia (carps, Tilapia nilotica, for
example), Clariases (Mudfish, Clarias anguillaris, for example), Lateses (Captains, Lates
niloticus, for example), and occasionally Synodontises, Bagrus and Chrysichtys, and Labeo
kinds.
The food value of fish, appreciated by the level of consumption, is 60Kg per fisherman/year,
5 Kg per inhabitant/year for the city of Ouagadougou, and only 1.5 Kg per burkinabe/year.
The socio-economic importance of fishing for the rural populations results from the fact that
piscicultural exploitation takes place in the counter agricultural season in the small dams that
represent 80% of the total number. From this fact, this activity perfectly conciliates with the
farmers’ daily tasks and allows him to get new sources of income and to enrich his food. The
increase in incomes is even better felt in the lake areas that benefited from the training of the
ministry in charge of fishing.
The other aquatic fauna species or those subservient to water, such as turtles, bactrachians and
snakes, intervene to a certain extent in food, leatherwork and especially pharmacopoeia. That
is the case with toads, frogs, turtles and pythons. The traditional breeding of frog is done in
certain ricefields and swamps in the western part of the country where rudimentary
developments are undertaken to ensure the grouping of these bactrachians. This practice is
due to the fact that the big restaurants of Bobo-Dioulasso consume frog thighs.
The aquatic bactrachians sometimes serve as baits for the fishing of carnivorous fishes. There
is no study capable of giving an indication with figures on the socio-economic value of this
aquatic fauna category.
116
5.2.1.3 Insects
Numerous insect species are useful to man. Thus, hymenopteran species intervene in the
pollination of plants. A large number of other species are used for nutritional support for man
in Burkina Faso. It is the case of caterpillar from shea trees, Cirina butyrospermii (caterpillar
of shea tree, consumed in the western part of Burkina Faso), winged termites of the
Macrotermes kind, locusts, grasshoppers and praying mantises. Some insects produce
substances that man feeds on. This has been the case, for a long time, of honey produced by
bees. A lot of insects play an important role in the natural equilibrium, and some are used for
biological fight. In this case we can mention the example of the Coccinellidaes, many
Hymenopterans in industrialised countries and of beetles of the Neochetina kind (Neochetina
bruchi and N. eichhorniae in the context of the fight against water hyacinth (Eichhornia
crassipes). Insects also achieve the recycling of organic matter such as Scarabeidaes, that are
never destroyed by farmers. Termites favour the infiltration of water into the soil ; they thus
play a great role in a country with an arid and semi-arid climate like Burkina Faso.
5.2.1.4 Microorganisms
Benefits derived from microorganisms are located on several plans. But in Burkina Faso few
measures are taken for the meantime for the optimal valorisation of this part of the constituent
elements of biological diversity. However, the country derives profit from microorganisms
even though it is not posted. The table that follows enumerates the beneficial actions of
perceptible microorganisms for the improvement of the standard of living of our populations.
Table 37: Beneficial Actions of microorganisms
Importance
Indicator of action
Food production
Fertilisation of soils
Protection of the
environment
Nutrition
Energy
Protection of soils
Production of proteins
Production of biogas
Type of action
Fixing of nitrogen
Formation of compost
Fertilisation of soils
Deterioration of pollutants
Production of yeasts
Mineralisation of organic
matters
SOURCE : TRAORE A., 1997
117
CHAPTER 6: CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO A
BETTER CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY
Constraints related to the implementation of conservation measures are mainly due to two
factors: the poverty of populations that often work for their survival and the successive
droughts that entail the massive death of plants and animals.
6.1 CONFLICTS DUE TO NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
In a context where the basis of the subsistence of the majority of the population depends on
the exploitation of natural resources, conservation of biological diversity is at the same time
not only a condition to the survival and development of these populations, but also a
challenge.
Droughts of the seventies clearly revealed the necessity to have systems of production
adapted to the climatic variations, capable of permitting the production of the minimum
necessary, in spite of the unfavourable climatic conditions that would prevail. In these
conditions it is imperious to have a large range of technologies, including phytogenetic,
animal, forest resources.
But, many factors hinder the conservation of biological diversity. The most important ones
are:

natural climatic variations: the big droughts provoked a mass mortality of animal and
plant species, and a slip of areas of distribution of certain spontaneous species of the Sahel
toward Sudanese climatic zones;

systems of slash-and-burn technique and extensive agricultural production.
The exact impact (positive or negative) of these two factors on biological diversity is not well
established, due to lack of detailed studies.
Other not less important factors contribute to the bad conservation of resources. These are
mainly:
 poaching that constitutes the real enemy of fauna nowadays. With regard to this activity
its impact deserves to be valued;

urbanisation : it inexorably leads to the disappearance of plant and animal species in the
most affected zones (e.g. : the Central Plateau);

opposition between the modern legislation and customary (traditional) regulation; this is
how traditional appropriation right, of collective type, opposes modern right based on
private property;

introduction of a preliminary authorisation and the payment of taxes for any exploitation
of resources for commercial purposes are often badly understood, which creates
fraudulent exploitation, susceptible to compromise the conservation of biological
diversity;
118

conflicts between objectives of use and socio-professional groups (in a context of
demographic expansion and natural resource rarefaction):

agriculture/breeding - the extension of agriculture was being done at the detriment of
pastoral space;
natives / natives (related to problems of inheritance and power);
natives/migrants (land problems)



insecticide treatments: some insecticide products proscribed by legislation are still sold on
the markets. These substances destroy without discernment harmful and natural auxiliary
insects, and break the food chains. The consequence of all this is the disappearance of
numerous species.
6.2 OTHER DIFFICULTIES
Besides the above mentioned constraints, there are other difficulties of which the main ones
are enumerated below.

The unsuitability of certain systems of agricultural popularisation; they incite the peasant
to plant some productive varieties through technological packets prepared in advance,
rather than to incite him to use several varieties, notably local ones. On this topic, a joint
project by the Ministry of Environment / Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific
Research is under formulation. This project aims at laying strong foundations for in-situ
conservation, in getting producers more involved.

The vast number of contributors in the management of natural resources and biological
diversity. Indeed, the Burkinabè institutional landscape concerning natural resources
management and conservation of biological diversity is marked by a scattering of decision
centres.

The insufficiency and sometimes the lack of a scheduling of actions by priority.

The not taking into account the cost of natural resources regeneration, notably the fixing
of quotas of exploitation as well as actions and/or taxes intended for the restoration of
products taken, which creates a situation of imbalance between supply and demand and
tends to lead eventually to the extinction of species and the imbalance of ecosystems.
The devaluation of the franc CFA, could have as other consequence an aggravation of the
deterioration of biological diversity because of the increase in prices of imported products,
notably agricultural inputs (fertiliser in particular) and medicines, which constrains the
populations to fall back more on natural resources.
119
CHAPTER 7: DEVELOPED PROGRAMMES AND
PROSPECTS
7.1 PROGRAMMES AND RELATED COSTS
The policy of agricultural and pastoral development of Burkina Faso is recorded in the Letter
of Sustainable Agricultural Development Policy (LPDA), addressed to World Bank in the
framework of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and of the Adjustment
Programme of the Agricultural Sector (PASA) - (BF/PASA/LPDA/2 May 1992).

The three (3) objectives that were defined in it are:

modernisation and diversification of production;

reinforcement of food security;

improvement of natural resources management.
Five orientations were brought out among which two have a direct effect on the conservation
of biological diversity. It is about the increase in productivity by the dissemination of
technologies of intensive production and of the slowing down of the deterioration of natural
resources in taking some necessary measures in the domain of land-ownership.
These fundamental orientations fall within the policy of progressive disengagement of the
State that will delegate more actions than it currently does. The determining role of actors at
the grassroots level is thus defined.
This role has clearly been specified by the Head of State of Burkina Faso in his speech
pronounced during the rally of June 2, 1994 on production in these terms: “Each of us (the
Burkinabès) in their domain of expertise and sphere of activities can and must fully contribute
to the realisation of sectorial objectives identified as vectors of well-being for the nation.”
During this rally the Head of State made six (6) commitments that are of interest to the entire
domain of biological diversity. These are:

protection of the environment and the fight against desertification;

increase in agro-pastoral production;

organisation of and support for the informal sector;

development of the network of small and medium enterprises;

support to income generating activities of women;

elevation of the general level of knowledge at the grassroots level and the development of
sports and cultural activities.
Concerning PASA of which mention is made above, a first phase ended in 1995 and should
be followed by PASA II for the consolidation and furthering of the main orientations.
120
The policy of agro-pastoral development is implemented through several Programmes and
projects. The planning from 1994 to 1996 was the following:

Integrated Rural Development Projects: 7 billion;

National Programme for Soil Management: 9 billion;

Specific projects (breeding sector, etc.) : 9 billion;

Institutional support: 14 billion;
Total funding acquired: 12,670 billion.
Thus, 16 projects out of a total of 39 have a direct tie with natural resources management and
conservation of biological diversity.
The paragraphs that follow give details of economic development Programmes by the main
sectors of activity that touch directly on biological diversity.
7.1.1 AGRICULTURE SUB-SECTOR.
The development of the agricultural sub-sector rests on the following five specific axes:

the development of cereal crops (sorghum, millet, corn and rice notably);

the development of cotton;

the development of sugar cane for the production of sugar;

the development of other industrial crops such as groundnuts, sheanut and sesame;

the development of fruits and vegetables.
These axes are translated by specific Programmes and projects. The development of cereals is
co-ordinated by a Permanent Secretariat for Cereal Policy and is implemented notably
through Projects of Integrated Rural Development and irrigation Projects.
The challenge that faces the success of such an ambitious Programme rests precisely on the
observation of a sustainable balance between natural resources conservation and balanced
development without which biological diversity would not be preserved.
The most meaningful results concerning the conciliation between conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity are mitigated enough. Indeed, if in a general manner
agricultural production has effectively had an appreciable increase, it remained attributable
for the essential to the extension of cultivated surfaces to the detriment of forest formations
that are the main sites of biological diversity and, unfortunately, at the cost of a great
destruction of the constituent elements of biological diversity.
On the other hand, integrated rural development projects were able to create the dynamics of
encouraging the populations to assume more responsibility at the grassroots level concerning
121
natural resources management. Structures like Village Committees for Soil Management,
which are developing and strengthening from day to day, play more and more a positive role
in the conservation of natural resources and biological diversity. But this still remains
insufficient.
7.1.2 ANIMAL BREEDING SUB-SECTOR.
The evolution of breeding policy has been marked by the following important stages:

before the nineteen seventies (1970s), breeding policy was centred on animal health with
the objective of fighting against endemic diseases; CIRDES (ex-CRTA), was the kingpin
of this policy, co-ordinated by the Economic Community of Livestock and Meat.

from the nineteen seventies (1970s), projects of breeding, centred on the production of
meat and milk appeared progressively. Let us mention as an example: the breeding
project of West Volta, that was especially interested in the selection of resistant race to
diseases; the Markoye Ranch in the North that introduced the AZAWAK zebus (resistant)
as well as the redhead goat of Maradi. The FED-Yatenga Small Ruminant project whose
centre of interest was the selection of meat and milk productive races (Macina sheep);
PDAV, ODAT and the Rabbit Project were interested in poultry and rabbits. The Rabbit
project, based in Bobo-Dioulasso, created a new race: the Bobo race, currently widely
popularised in the country.
The development of breeding pursues the following specific objectives:

institutional consolidation;

support for the pastoral laying out (Pastoral Laying out Support Programme: PAAP)

dairy development (National Dairy Development Pilot Project);

Research - Development;

collection and treatment of animal statistics;

development of village animal breeding (animal development Project at the
village level);

pastoral zones follow-up ( Pastoral Zones Follow-up Unit).
According to breeding services, information on the diversity of species and local domestic
races or introduced into our country exist but is not useful because of its scattering and nonavailability.
The main activities undertaken for a better knowledge of pastoral resources are about
ecological follow-up and improvement of races of these resources.
122
With regard to ecological follow-up, interesting data on the biological diversity of pastures
are regularly gathered. Their judicious exploitation should permit to draw a list of present
species and to follow their evolution.
With regard to the improvement of races, the situation is the same for what concerns the
availability and the reliability of information. Indeed, since the first descriptions done by
IEMVT, no official publication updating the lists of local species and races as well as their
description has been made.
The available information is often related to the execution of projects and dissertations and
theses of end of studies. At present, the Directorate of Animal Health and CNDA can be
considered as centres of excellence of archives concerning breeding in Burkina Faso. Indeed,
at certain time, all information on breeding was kept at CNDA. The following institutions also
detain some precious information on breeding, they are: IDR (for reports, dissertations and
theses); CIRDES in Bobo-Dioulasso, that was interested lately in the inventory of domestic
local animal races and species in Burkina Faso; CAPE of Matroukou; ORSTOM; BanankéléDaga Centre (that had for mandate the improvement of bovines and the introduction of sheep
races); Markoye Ranch (that was charged with the introduction of AZAWAK zebus and
Maradi goats).
Concerning poultry (hens and guineafowls), rabbits, donkeys, horses and pigs, dissertations
were recently published (see catalogue of dissertations and theses of IDR).
DPIA also deplores that with regard to the new races resulting from anarchical crossbreedings
(provoked or spontaneous), no inventory has been done. The lack of control and regulation on
crossbreedings favours certain risks of the disappearance of local races. This is so true that
there is currently no on site or ex situ conservation Programme. The situation should
complicate further with the total privatisation of breeding in the framework of SAP.
7.1.3 ENVIRONMENT - FOREST - FAUNA - FISHING SUB-SECTOR
The development objectives of these four subsectors are part of the more global National
Action Plan for the Environment (PANE) framework, adopted in 1991 and reviewed in 1994
to take into account the conclusions of the Rio Conference. The main objectives of PANE are:

to master the pressures on the natural habitat;

to encourage natural resources regeneration and to protect biological diversity;

to improve the living environment;

to contribute to the process of a sustainable development;
More specifically, the objectives of the three subsectors (forests, fauna and fishing) are
expressed in the national forest policy. They are essentially:

forest resources valorisation by rational planning and exploitation methods;

generation of employments and incomes in rural environments;
123

conservation of biological diversity, in particular safeguarding animal and plant species
threatened of disappearance;

continuous improvement of knowledge and information on natural resources.
To achieve these objectives specific activities of the three subsectors have been identified and
fall within the scope of the five programmes of PANE. They are:

Framework Programme for National Heritage Management;

Framework Programme for Soil Management;

Framework Programme for the improvement of the Living Environment;

National Programme for the Management of Information on the Environment;

Programme for Expertise Development in Environment.
Thus, the global objective of the Master Programme for National Heritage Management
(PCGPN) is to ensure efficient management of natural resources and the national space. For
its implementation, this programme needs a funding of 19.791.308.250 F CFA (before the
devaluation 1 United States dollar was equal to 250 F CFA).
The global objective of the Master Programme for Soil Management (PCGT) is to encourage
the rural populations to take responsibility in natural resources management through
integration of development policies, property security, maintenance and improvement of
production base. This programme has a funding need of 1.554.032.250 F CFA (before the
devaluation).
The general objective of the Master Programme for the Improvement of Living Conditions
(PCACV) is to intensify the involvement of the rural and urban populations to the healthy
management of their environment, to reinforce the essential infrastructures and to contribute
to endow them with sustainable means of existence.
The National Programme for the Management of Information on the Environment (PNGIM)
aims among others at improving the relevance, the quality, the availability of information on
the environment and reinforcing the national mechanisms for information processing and
diffusion. Funding to secure for this programme is valued at 1.051.088.500 F CFA (before the
devaluation).
The Programme of Expertise Development in Environment (PDCE) aims at reinforcing
human expertise and national technical capacities necessary to implement PANE and
sustainable development. Funding search for this programme is valued at 1.875.310.000 F
CFA (before the devaluation).
Among the financed projects are those included under the Public Investment Programme
(PIP). The global cost of these fundings amounts to 14.648 million CFA francs, distributed
among the following subsector activities:

forestry in land use (village forestry) with 5 projects and 37.02% of the global amount;
124

firewood and energy with 6 projects and 27.7% of the global amount;

conservation of ecosystems with 7 projects and 14.3% of the global amount;

valorisation of forest products with 1 project and 17.4% of the global amount;

support to forestry institutions with 11 projects and 21.6% of the global amount.
7.1.4 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS FOR PRESERVING BENEFITS
The main actions undertaken in Burkina Faso to benefit from advantages offered by
biological diversity are summarised in the Table 38, with indication of sites or zones
concerned.
Table 38: Mode of managing biological diversity
Agricultural production: all the national territory;
Agroforestry: agroforestry parks
Pastoral production: Sudano-Sahelian and Sahelian zones;
Development of hydrographic basins: Sourou, the Kou Valley, Kompienga,;
Management of wild fauna: protected forests, national parks, total reserves, partial reserves;
Management of game: Nazinga ranch;
Biosphere reserve: hippo pond;
Ornithological sanctuary: Oursi pond;
Forest resources management: protected forests, national parks, reserves of fauna, protected
forests, sacred woods;
Organisation of forest exploitation: adjoining forests of big urban centres (eg.: Gonsé,
Nazinon);
Halieutic resources management: perennial rivers, natural lakes, dams;
Fight against soil erosion: Central Plateau of the country;
Aesthetic and recreational activities: tourism of vision in parks and reserves, parklands;
Habitat of birds: ponds of the Sahel, reserves of fauna;
Readaptation of the legislation: management of the environment;
Environmental education: classified forests, national parks, reserves, botanical garden, reform
of the education system;
Genetic resources conservation: in - situ and ex - situ conservatory;
Domains of scientific research: research sites on natural resources management.
7.1.5 EXPENDITURES RELATED TO CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE
USE
Activities relating to conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity are various (e.g.
: development of natural formations, protection of species, sensitisation, studies about natural
resources, research, integrated management of resources, etc.), and are carried out at different
levels of active life. The actions carried out are part of the framework of the National Action
Plan for the Environment. The principal actors in the matter are state-controlled structures,
NGOs, Peasants’ Associations and individuals. Thus, the real costs of all these activities are
difficult to evaluate because of the absence of a centralised database. However, a certain
assessment of these expenses can be made from existing official documents.
125
7.1.5.1 Summary of expenditure
Expenses presented here concern actions undertaken by State structures. Financing is ensured
by State funds, self-financing of activities and subsidies and loans from bilateral and
multilateral co-operation. The Table below presents the balance sheet of these expenses from
1992 to 1996. As can be seen from Table 39, efforts dedicated to the management of
environmental resources globally increased during the period considered.
Table 39: Summary of expenditures (in millions of F CFA)
Source/
Year
State
Selffinancing
Cooperation
Total
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
Total
1,765
1,573.97
3,012
1,966.95
2,787
3,700.02
1,694
3,436.22
2,175
2,502.98
11,433
13,180
32,302
35,641
41,233
46,212
33,440
39,927
45,061
50,191
53,930
58,608
205,966
230,579
Source: Budget of the State and Directorate for Coordination and assessment of investments
(Ministry in charge of finance)
7.1.5.2 Non-satisfied financial needs
The non-satisfied financial needs are those sought-after through projects to come and
complement efforts deployed by the State to derive a better profit and better manage national
biological diversity for a long time. Summaries of needs are presented in Table 40.
Table 40: Summary of financial needs to be searched for by PANE’s framework
programme for the management of biological diversity
Framework programmes/programme
Amount (before the devaluation of the F
CFA) in millions F CFA
Management of National Patrimony
19,791
Soil Management
1,554
Improvement of Living Conditions
2,785
Management of Information on the 1,051
Natural Environment
Development
of
Capacities
in 1,875
Environment
TOTAL
27,056
Source : Investment Programme PANE, 1994.
It necessary to note that there are serious difficulties to mobilise the necessary financial
ressources for the implementation of these programmes. The consequences of this is thet,
relatively,few projects have effectively received funding. This is testified ion table 41
126
according to projects recorded at the level of the ministry in charge of planning and
cooperation for search funding.
Table 41: Summary of the financial needs of projects in search of funding as at
December 31, 1996 provided by the main ministries in charge of biological
diversity
Ministry in Charge of
Territorial Administration (Ministry of
Interior)
Social Action and Family
Environment and Water
Secondary, Higher Education and
Scientific Research
Agriculture and Animal Resources
Basic Education and Mass Literacy
TOTAL
In millions of F CFA
32,700
273,970
4,578,923
3,794,140
784,799
315,000
9,780,000
Source: Directorate for Coordination and assessment of Investments (Ministry in charge of
finance)
CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSIONS AND OPTIONS
127
8.1 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS
The conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity have been implicitly taken into
account in policies of planning, management and research concerning natural resources in
Burkina Faso since the colonial period. But the efforts put in are variable according to the
different domains. Besides, the collected information is far from being exhaustive because of
the scattering of the documentation with regard to structures implied in the management of
biological diversity.
It is concerning management of forests, fauna and fishing that the efforts were most
remarkable. Indeed, we have in-situ conservation programmes for these domains, even though
difficulties of management persist. There is a herbarium of flora and inventories made
concerning fauna and halieutic resources that give a partial situation of the reality.
As regards agriculture, several collections of species, subspecies, varieties and ecotypes were
realised and preserved ex-situ either on the spot or with appointed agencies (ICRISAT). They
are, essentially, research organisations that hold collections, each institute maintaining the
material for the purpose of its own activities.
Concerning breeding, since the first descriptions made notably by French researchers of
IEMVT before independence, no updating inventory has been made. It is urgent to proceed
with such an inventory and an assessment of the existing patrimony following the provoked or
spontaneous crossbreeding. As indicated, some rich information already exists, but remains
dispersed. Consequently, it is necessary to proceed with a real campaign of collection, storage
and assessment of present local and exotic resources in the country.
For all these domains, the legislation should be adapted in order to favour a real conservation
of biological diversity that gives the local populations responsibility.
As indicated all along the present document, a real political will as well as some strategic
plans exist. However, it is urgent to adapt all the approaches to the objectives of the
Convention on Biological Diversity to which Burkina Faso subscribed.
Prevention and resolution of conflicts between the different groups lusting after renewable
natural resources are therefore a vital necessity and must be an integral part of the
management strategies of these natural resources and biological diversity. In this sense, the
effective taking into account of customary regulation (as far as it constitutes a plus),
constitutes one of the appropriate options that deserves to be strongly supported in the future.
In addition, it must be mentioned that a consequent regulation concerning the introduction of
animal and plant species on the one hand, and putting in quarantine on the other hand, would
protect the national patrimony from illnesses and the introduction of invading species. The
control of the importation of modified living organism is also imperative. In fact, the absence
of a consequent regulation leads to the non protection of national patrimony resources.
8.2 PROPOSED OPTIONS
128
From the preceding collected data, conclusions and priority options are summarised as
follows by sector whose elements compose the biological diversity.
8.2.1 ECOLOGY
On the deterioration of ecosystems and habitats, there is an important documentation
describing causes and consequences, and evaluating the extent of the phenomenon. However,
there are few recent data - even old ones - on the dynamics of ecosystems and habitats under
the impact of ecological change, or threats weighing on biological diversity. An effort should
be made:

to adopt a nomenclature and a classification of milieux that are consensual for
Burkinabè technicians (this process is currently under way) ;

to make an inventory and an assessment of the knowledge and local know-how
concerning conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity by the different
sociocultural and ethnic groups of Burkina Faso. In this context sacred-woods and
concrete actions of traditional conservation will have to be listed and evaluated on the
ecological plan;
to put in place, at the national and regional levels, an effective system of continuous
surveillance of the environment, notably the follow-up of the qualitative and
quantitative dynamics of environment and the animal and plant biological diversity;
to establish at the national and regional levels reliable maps of the evolution of the
ecosystems and habitats;
to proceed with the economic assessment of the biological diversity and biological
resources.



8.2.2 HERBACEOUS AND LIGNEOUS FOREST SPECIES
In spite of their status, the protected forests, parks and other reserves of Burkina Faso have
been deteriorating at a frightening rate because of two main factors: drought and human
activities.
Also, a national strategy of conservation of biological diversity must be oriented towards the
objectives and actions below:










improved knowledge of the state of flora and vegetation of protected forests;
control of bush fires;
best forest resource valorisation;
promotion of local species;
control of pastures;
reinforcement of agroforestry activities;
reinforcement of environmental education;
knowledge of the past (from historical and research data collected from neighbouring
populations) of plant formations at the time of their classification;
inventory of the flora and the ligneous and herbaceous potential of the protected
forests;
knowledge of the physical environment and the socioeconomic context of protected
forests: relationship between forests and neighbouring populations;
129





appreciation of modifications undergone by the flora and vegetation of protected
forests and analysis of factors that govern this dynamics;
identification, outside of the classified perimeters, of zones of floral interest that can
be the object of classification in compensation of very damaged forests that could be
given up to the neighbouring populations in view of regeneration by the CES / DRS
techniques;
improvement of knowledge on the phenomenon of drought and desertification;
reinforcement of the national herbarium;
setting up of a data bank on the protected forests and the development of a forest flora
and a national nomenclature of the forest essences of Burkina Faso.
Considering what precedes, it appears indispensable to establish a major programme of
activities based on the knowledge, rational exploitation and conservation of flora and the
vegetation of protected forests for a sustainable development. This programme would
integrate the following activities:



promotion of non-ligneous forest products in order to better contribute to the
safeguard ligneous species by forestry actions.
valorisation of local forest species in reforestations while deepening research on
germination and conservation of seeds, silviculture and adaptation of species to
local conditions;
training of peasants in modern techniques of defence and restoration of soils,
conservation of soil, water (CES/DRS) and agroforestry.
The know-how of peasants concerning CES/DRS and of agroforestry deserves to be better
popularised. Indeed, results from this know-how are perceptible in some provinces, like those
of Passoré and Sanmatenga for example. Indeed, we see magnificent perimeters here and
there, where small barriers have been erected either with soil or blocks of laterite, from which
emerge perennial bushes and graminae (Andropogon gayanus, for example), whereas spaces
next to these perimeters are nearly naked. The practice of the Zaï in some provinces (that of
Yatenga for example) permits to increase outputs in a substantial way and deserves to be
extended to many more regions and arid and semi-arid zones of Burkina Faso.
These activities could be planned over periods of 20 to 30 years, in order to permit to better
appreciate their impacts and to make a realistic assessment of such a scheduling of actions
concerning conservation and sustainable use of resources.
8.2.3 AQUATIC PLANTS
The compilation made on the state of knowledge concerning the aquatic microflora and
aquatic herbaceous flora permitted to establish that there are 191 algae and 185 species of
aquatic flora composed in majority of angiosperms and cryptogams of large size. These
figures established from a reduced number of explored lakes incite to believe that Burkina
Faso can be a big field with a great responsibility that it is necessary to discover. This
compilation also reveals the lack of information on traditional knowledge and practice of
conservation and sustainable use of resources in aquatic flora, and this commands the
realisation of investigations to discover them. On the other hand, numerous human activities
have a negative impact on the conservation of this type of biological diversity, and it is
convenient to count them by impact studies in order to define specific measures and actions
that are imperative.
130
However, the following urgent actions should also be envisaged:
 to prospect the totality of lakes or in default, representative samples;
 to free the biomass of accumulated species with regard to some lakes, water
hyacinth notably, to avoid their propagation and permit the resumption of
socioeconomic activities where they exist; the neighbouring populations of
affected lakes should be sensitised;
 to create piscicultural units and use the phytoplankton for feeding phytophage fish
species, because of examples of this kind have given convincing results in the
Koubri dam and in Bazèga ;
 to fix the banks of lakes, in particular those of the Sahel, in order to minimise the
erosion of their edges and sandbanks.
8.2.4 CULTIVATED FOREST PLANTS
The number of forest species cultivated in Burkina Faso represents 26% of the of the species
that make up the flora. The native species represent 37% of cultivated species against 63% of
exotic species. This clearly shows that the local species did not benefit sufficiently from a
particular attention with regard to their use. Also, an effort should be made for the promotion
of local species. This promotion should be made through planting of local species and in-situ
and ex-situ conservations.
For that matter, the following actions would deserve to be undertaken:






to update and enrich the knowledge on cultivated species;
to sensitise decision-makers, economic operators and the public on benefits
derived from local species;
to adapt forest activities to the needs of populations in order to guarantee a healthy
management of biological diversity;
to involve and give responsibilities to women and children in natural resources
management;
to master the financial contribution of cultivated local species to the national
economy;
to enhance national capacities for a better knowledge of the value of cultivated and
wild local species.
8.2.5 AGRICULTURE
The problems that lead to the loss of agricultural biological diversity in Burkina Faso call for
measures by way of solutions. These are for example:




increase in the exploring and collection of varieties of agricultural species and their
ex-situ conservation, in order to save endangered species;
adoption of policies and elaboration of programmes and projects of in-situ
conservation, to compensate for ex-situ conservation;
increase in the policies for settling farmers in their lands, in order to avoid
displacements that accompany the abandonment of local cultivars on site;
strengthening the practice of techniques of defence and restoration of soils;
131

adoption of incentive measures in view of a better conservation of species and
local varieties.
8.2.6 PHYTOGENETIC RESOURCES
Burkina Faso has already elaborated a certain number of strategies for a sustainable
management of its phytogenetic resources and that is still current. They are about:
 making the inventory of already available material;
 defining priorities in the matter of genetic resources;
 identifying ecological zones where genetic diversity is threatened of extinction;
 defining programmes for prospecting and collection;
 promoting the creation of a national gene bank (ex-situ and in-situ) with a
multidisciplinary vocation;
 encouraging and harmonising some technical and scientific exchanges with
regional, inter-regional and international gene banks;
 arousing and valorising the interventions of scientific and financial partners;
 encouraging the development of the use of local genetic patrimony within the local
scientific communities;
 evaluating the genetic diversity in order to put at the disposal of the selector
material whose useful characteristics are immediately exploitable;
 managing in the global setting of the conservation of the environment, natural
reserves where wild communities and cultivated species vegetate;
 sensitising urban and village populations on highly deplorable risks of genetic
erosion that any excessive and uncontrolled activities of man, animal and nature
itself can provoke;
 studying the legislative measures to be taken in order to ensure a healthy
development of the diffusion of germplasm between the national users and
international partners to ensure equitable sharing of benefits;
 elaborating a general policy of genetic resources management by the diffusion,
importation and exploitation of forms of genetic material;
 working for the training of researchers, technicians and peasants wanting to work
in the domain of conservation and use of phytogenetic resources.
In addition to these options, it seems urgent to:




encourage, at the national level, the creation of a national programme of research
on phytogenetic resources that would lead in the shortest delay to the creation of a
real gene bank. This problem must be solved without delay or the set of materials
already collected will disappear, for it would be therefore disastrous that all the
work already done be lost, for lack of means of conservation, regeneration and
assessment, or by ending prospecting;
proceed with the creation of in-situ conservation units, insofar as a good number of
cultivars are better preserved in their areas of origin;
undertake the repatriation of collections of Burkina Faso preserved in foreign gene
banks;
study the question of the right of the obtainer, in order to get peasants interested in
issues of phytogenetic resources.
132
8.2.7 PHARMACOPEIA RESOURCES AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
On the national plan, actions in matters of ethnobotanic research in general, of medicinal
plants in particular, remain relatively timid, and strictly speaking there is no elaborated
strategy, even if we detect some promising indications on the subject. It appears therefore
urgent:







to update the list of species already indexed as medicinal plants;
to make an inventory and a list of all plant and animal species used in medicine
and traditional pharmacopoeia;
to proceed with in-situ and ex-situ conservation of medicinal plants;
to promote the growing of medicinal plants;
to adapt the legislation to the objectives of conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity;
to preserve the know-how of tradipracticians and ancestral knowledge;
to evaluate the contribution of medicinal plants to domestic and national economy.
8.2.8 DOMESTIC FAUNA
The major objective that prevails in the matter of domestic fauna resides in the increase in
productivity and conservation of species and races. To arrive at this, the following measures
deserve to be taken:




conservation of species and local races;
genetic improvement of species and local races;
optimisation of breeding;
promotion of traditional breeding.
8.2.9 WILD FAUNA
The fauna of the wild vertebrates of Burkina Faso is relatively rich in species, in spite of the
insufficient state of our knowledge of them.
In Burkina Faso, wild fauna constitutes an important link of protein contribution to
populations and is the object of an important poaching. To valorise this fauna patrimony
better, the country has undertaken:




to rationalise the exploitation and management of hunting zones in promoting
some private initiatives;
to reinforce synergetic tourism and ecotourism;
to strengthen the protection of synergetic resources;
to promote “ranching” and small private breeding.
Considering the insufficient level of our knowledge of the wild fauna it is also imperative:



to proceed with its advanced taxonomic study;
to proceed with a periodic national counting of individual species;
to enhance national human capacities in fauna taxonomy;
133



to involve neighbouring populations more in actions of fauna conservation in
making them benefit to the best from repercussions of this management;
to create domains classified buffer zones in order to avoid or to limit aggressions
of fauna habitats by populations;
to adapt the legislation to the approach adopted for the conservation and use of this
fauna.
8.2.10 AQUATIC FAUNA
Income generating and ecological and cultural value preserver, biological diversity of
aquatic fauna in Burkina Faso contributes to the growth of the standard of living of rural
populations.
Unfortunately, only vertebrates (fish, birds, reptiles and bactrachians) are known well
enough; and there again it is the fishes that have benefited from a relatively greater attention.
Fishes alone contribute close to 3.7 billion F CFA to the value added in the national
economy, in spite of the under exploitation of this resource. Indeed, only 7,000 tons of fish
out of a potential of 12,500 tons are exploited annually, but this is far from covering the
national needs.
The present protective measures of the humid zones and halieutic resources are recorded at
many levels (R.A.F., Environmental Code, Forest Code...). In other respects, the policies and
national strategy of fishing development and some lakes and development programmes in
general are about humid zones protection, without granting them a place of choice for all
that.
To fill these gaps, the following options were adopted:




to master the halieutic potentialities;
to better organise fishermen;
to work for the optimisation of catches;
to bring logistic and financial supports to associations of fishermen.
Having seen the diagnosis presented in this document and the main conclusions drawn, the
following complementary options could come to reinforce those enumerated above:



to elaborate a legislation and/or a specific regulation on these zones that take into
account all the aspects related to their conservation (protect, make viable and
valorise), considering the fragility of humid zones, their ecological, socioeconomic
and cultural importance;
to undertake some studies on the knowledge of macro, meso and micro invertebrates
(crustaceans, molluscs, insects, zooplanktons), considering the ignorance of
invertebrate communities that populate humid zones;
to undertake some complementary studies in order to fill the gaps concerning aquatic
and semi-aquatic vertebrate knowledge.
134
8.2.11 INSECTS
Data collected in this document on entomological fauna are not complete enough, given the
scattering of data at the national level and the level of foreign institutes, such as the Museum
of Natural history in Paris.
It appears of highest interest for the knowledge of the entomological fauna of Burkina Faso
and for a better management of resources, that a project of national entomological Collection
finally sees the day. Considering the insufficiency of inventories of insects in Burkina Faso
and considering the fundamental role played by these invertebrates in several domains of
which pollination of plants, food chains, natural biological balances, decomposition of
organic matter and its incorporation in soils, transmission of serious illness to man, animals
and plants and destruction of crops, this project appears to be of great interest.
8.2.12 MICRO-ORGANISMS
In Burkina Faso, microbiology is nascent but it could have a great impact
on the
socioeconomic life in influencing: medicine, agriculture, food sciences, energy sector,
ecology, and many other domains, because the use of micro-organisms in utilitarian goal is
becoming an important stake for the well being of man. However, knowledge of these
microscopic beings is very limited in our country.
Also, the essential orientation to take in the first place is to permit a better knowledge of these
elements of biological diversity by researchers and producers. Actions to be undertake in this
direction would hinge mainly on:

information and education on micro-organisms;

development of research in microbiology;

strengthening collections of conservation of micro-organisms : according to
TRAORE A., 1997, it is only some stumps of micro-organisms that have been
isolated in Burkina Faso these days.
Besides, microbiologists of Burkina Faso should look into:

medical questions linked to micro-organisms: biotechnology, hygiene, mastery of
genetic engineering to amplify potentialities of micro-organisms in various
domains (production of enzymes among others to replace genetic defaulting), etc.;

protection of environment by strengthening research in microbiology: researchers
and students can constitute pole of expertise in biotechnology notably oriented
towards questions of environment and valorisation of industrial waste, because the
necessity of urban centre depollution has become imperative nowadays;

production and conservation of food: increase in food production thanks to the
intervention of micro-organisms (fixing of nitrogen, carbon, minerals, etc.),
industrial production of compounds useful to man (proteins, solvents, organic
acids, antibiotics, etc.);
135

institutional development: for this it will be necessary to set up structures and an
institutional organisation to specialise in different questions concerning microorganisms.
8.2.13 THEMATIC MAPS
The essential of options that are offered can be summed up as follows:
-

necessity to structure data to be collected according to a model which is compatible
with Geographic Information System (GIS) and satisfying the necessary requirements;

show that maps to identify for collecting data on biological diversity does not rest on
the number of “maps” to produce but rather on the following points:
clearly define goal of the information to search for;
define without ambiguity the objectives and attributes;
indicate the complexity of integrating data into GIS .
8.2.14 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
There are a great number of maps and other georeferenced information scattered in public
organisations and elsewhere. It is important that a well structured inventory of these documents
be realised to localise in an accurate way sources of information in view of using some of this
information directly without needing to partially or completely reproduce them.
8.2.15 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
From the point of view of some major insufficiencies that hinder the objective of sustainable
socioeconomic development, the recommended options below could contribute to reduce
problems:

to undertake on the national plan information and sensitisation actions all out
(populations, technicians, decision-makers, local elected officials, traditional
chiefs, land custodians) on the issues of biological diversity in order to succeed in
making participate effectively all the actors in the management of this diversity;

to promote environmental education at the different levels of education right from
the primary cycle;

to capitalise and spread experiences of integrated management of natural
resources;

to undertake qualitative, quantitative and economic assessment of
resources and inherent real costs in their management.
biological
8.2.16 PLANNING POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
It is in domain of forest, fauna and fishing management that efforts were most remarkable.
Indeed, we have in-situ conservation programmes for these domains, even if difficulties of
management persist. There is a national herbarium, a structure working in the matter of forest
136
seeds, while inventories carried out on wild fauna and halieutic resources give a certain
situation of the reality.
Concerning agriculture, several collections of species, subspecies, varieties and ecotypes have
been realised and preserved ex-situ either on the spot or by appointed organisations (notably
ICRISAT). It is essentially research that detains collections, each institute maintaining
materials necessary for its own activities. It is therefore necessary to elaborate a systematic
census programme of local and introduced phytogenetic resources and to envisage a
programme of conservation. The choice being made for in-situ conservation.
Concerning breeding, since the first descriptions made notably by researchers of IEMVT
before independence, no updating inventory has been made. It is imperative to proceed on
such an inventory and assessment of the existing patrimony following provoked or
spontaneous crossbreedings.
137
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 : List of authors of initial reports
Adama DIALLO, 1996 : Elaboration d’une monographie nationale sur la diversité
biologique des plantes herbacées au Burkina Faso
Alamoussa Cheik TRAORE et Norbert Salama ZIGANI , 1996 : Monographie sur la
diversité biologique de la faune aquatique du Burkina Faso
Albert COMPAORE, 1996 : Politiques et stratégies de planification et de gestion de la
diversité biologique au Burkina Faso
Albert N. OUEDRAOGO, 1997 : Socio-économie et diversité biologique au Burkina Faso
Albert Patoin OUEDRAOGO, 1996 : Collecte des informations relatives à la faune
entomologique connue du Burkina Faso
Alphred S. TRAORE, 1997 : Elaboration d’une monographie nationale sur la diversité
biologique du Burkina Faso : Volet microbiologie.
Bassirou BELEM, 1996 : Ladomestication des plantes forestières, fruitières et ornementales
du Burkina Faso
Didier BALMA, 1997 : Ressources phytogénétiques du Burkina Faso
GEOCONSEIL, 1997 : Études sur la collecte des données et l’idfentification des cartes pour
la mise en place d’un Système d’Information Géogrphique
Jean Marie OUADBA, 1997: Elaboration d’une monographie nationale sur la diversité
biologique : Collecte de données biologique, considération écologiques
Lassané OUEDRAOGO et Pierre KAFANDO, 1996 : Monographie sur la diversité
biologique nationale du Burkina Faso , faune sauvage, 1996: Mammifères, Oiseaux, Reptiles.
Louis R. OUEDRAOGO, 1996 : Monographie nationale sur la diversité biologique : Point
sur la microflore et la macroflore aquatiques et semi-aquatiques du Burkina Faso
Jean Lauriault, 1996 : Monographie nationale sur la diversité biologique du Burkina Faso Rapport de mission, Musée Canadien de la Nature
Nabyouré I. OUEDRAOGO, 1997 : Agriculture et diversité biologique au Burkina Faso
Ouétian BOGNOUNOU, 1996 : La diversité biologique végétales du Burkina Faso : Aspects
ethnobotaniques
Oumarou SANA, 1997 : Diversité biologique des animaux domestiques au Burkina Faso
Samuel YEYE et Frank S. COMPAORE, 1996 : Elaboration d’une monographie nationale
sur la diversité biologique : Études juridique
138
Sélé SORI, 1996 : Elaboration d’une monographie nationale sur la diversité biologique du
Burkina Faso : Utilisation des sols au Burkina Faso
Sita GUINKO, 1996 : Données sur la diversité biologique forestière ligneuse du Burkina
Faso
Zowindé KOUDOUGOU, 1997 : Études sur la collecte des données numériques à référence
spatiale et l’élaboration des cartes thématiques
139
Appendix 2. Taxonomic inventory of principal phyla of biological diversity
according to the five KINGDOMs of Margulius, L. and K. Schwart (1988)
VIRUS (NOT A KINGDOM) 150 000
Families
Genera
33
Species
84
PROCARYOTAE KINGDOM (Bacteria and moners)
Taxons
BACTÉRIA (Bacteria)
CYANOBACTÉRIA (blue green Algae)
MYCOPLASMS
RICKESTTIES
Families
Genera
83
?
?
?
Species
413
?
?
?
?
?
?
PROTOCTISTA KINGDOM (Algae et protozoa)
Taxons
(Algae)
BACILLARIOPHYTA (Diatomes)
PROTOZOA (Protozoa)
KINGDOM : EUMYCOTA (Mushrooms et
Taxons
ASCOMYCOTA (Morelles et al.)
BASIDIOMYCOTA (Bolets, russules, al.)
LICHENOPHYTA (Lichens)
Families
Genera
Species
32
88
191
?
?
?
?
?
?
al.) (1 500 000 Estab. total non described species)
Families
Genera
Species
8?
24 ?
28
?
?
?
?
?
?
KINGDOM : PLANTAE (Plants)
Taxons
BRYOPHYTA (Mousses et al.)
LYCOPODIOPHYTA (Lycopodes)
EQUISETOPHYTA (Preles)
PTERIDOPHYTA (Ferns)
CONIFEROPHYTA (Conifers et al.)
MAGNOLIOPHYTA (dico+mono)
Families
Genera
?
?
?
?
?
349
Species
?
?
?
?
?
838
?
?
?
?
?
1188
KINGDOM : ANIMALIA (Animals)
Taxons
CNIDARIA (Hydra et al.)
PLATELMELMENTHES (Flat worms)
NEMERTEA (Ribbon worms)
ROTIFERA (Rotifers)
NEMATA (Round worms)
MOLLUSCA (Molluscs)
ANNELIDA (Earthworms, leeches, al.)
ARACHNIDA (Spiders)
COLLEMBOLA (Collemboles)
CRUSTACEA (Crustaceans)
INSECTA (Insects)
CHILOPOLDA (Centipedes)
DIPLOPODA (Millipedes)
Osteithyes (Bony fishes)
Amphibia (Frogs, salamanders)
Reptilia (Turtles, snakes)
Aves (Birds)
Mammalia (Mammals)
Total
Families
Genera
?
?
?
?
?
10
?
?
?
5
151
?
?
24
5
16
100
33
849
Species
?
?
?
?
?
13
?
?
?
6
250
?
?
57
16
52
292
77
2210
?
?
?
?
?
28
?
?
?
6
1515
?
?
118
30
60
482
128
3774
140
Appendix 3 : Characteristics of noticeable humid zones of Burkina Faso
Sites
1. Béli
Description
Commentaries
Criteria
Sensitive site but with low biological
diversity
Natural ponds
Rich ornithology, sites with fragile
ecology due to pastorale pressure
Flooding and manure
Threatened by the dam and pressure of
spreading zone
migrants
Dam with irrigation-farming Natural habitat in course of change by
development
irrigation-farming developments (ricefarming and others) – to be supervised
Rivers with a dam project
Risk of changing a habitat of ecological
value
Urban dams; site being part Risk of urban/industrial pollution of these
of the drainage network of
dams and classified forest
the town
Rivers in a national park
Site rich biological diversity (big
mammals)
Dam with hydro-electic and Risk changing the habitat
irrigation farming
Rivers in the national park
Site with rich biological diversity
(hippopotamuses, birds)
Rivers in the national park
Site with rich biological diversity not yet
(Pendjari and Mekrou)
catalogued
Hippopotamus ponds and
Site with rich biological diversity
flooding zone in a reserve of (hippopotamuses)
the Biosphere
Rivers with many dams in
Site with rich biological diversity
the ranch
(mammals, birds, flora)
Zone of Artois sources
Forest gallery (ligneous), site rich in
biological diversity (fishes), tourist
overexploitation, damage of the banks
Natural lakes near the
Forest gallery (ligneous), site riche in
cascades
biological diversity (fishes)
Flooding zone
Site with rich biological diversity Ricegrowing, risk of changing the habitat
S
Developed ponds
Site with rich biological diversity
(crocodiles)
T
17. Lenga
Rivers and flooding zone
T
18. Bam
Natural lake
Site with rich biological diversity
(hippopotamuses), destabilized by the
Bagré dam
Diverse crops
2. Oursi et Yemboli
3. Banh
4. Sourou
5. Ziga
6. Ouagadougou
7. Grand Balé
8. Bagré
9. Arly (Pendjari)
10. Parc W
11. Bala
12. Nazinga
13. Guinguette
14. Tengréla
15. N’DionkéléFoulasso
16. Sabou
Rivers and natural ponds
Source : UICN - BURKINA, 1994, in OUADBA,1997.
Key:
B = Site with rich biological diversity
E = Economic site (development of irrigation-farming, etc.)
S = Sensitive site
T = Tourist site
B, E, S,
B, E, S,
E, S,
S
S
B
E
B
B
B, T
B, T
B, S, T
B, T
B, E
E
141
Appendix 4: Indicators for determining human development level (HDI)
The state of the world proposes here and in the statistical Tables of the geopolitical entities an
"Indicator of human development” (IDH). This composite indicator is calculated every year,
since 1990, by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Such an initiative came about because the indicator of development most commonly used,
the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, calculated at market exchange rate, is, in many
cases, a very bad measure of the level of well-being attained. For example, Saudi Arabia, with
9,338 dollars per capita in 1994, had not less 38.2% of illiterates in its adult population and
had an infant mortality rate of 28 °/oo. Costa Rica, whose GDP per capita is 62% of Saudi
Arabia’s, seems nevertheless to have a higher human "development"; it only has 5% of
illiterates and the infant mortality is three times less (13 °/oo).
In the ideal, an indicator of “human development” should be able to take into account many
factors.
UNDP preferred to retain only three elements to construct its index: life expectancy at birth;
level of instruction, represented by the level of adult literacy and raw rate of schooling
irrespective of levels (with a weighting of two thirds for the first and one third for second);
and at last the income represented by per capita GDP after a double transformation taking into
account the relative difference in prices from one country to the other and because the income
does not increase development human in a linear manner (when we go fromm 1,000 to 2,000
dollars per capita income yearly, the diversity of new choices that opens up increases more
than when we go from 14,000 to 15,000 dollars).
Minimum and maximum values are set for each of these elements:
- life expectancy at birth: 25 to 85 years;
- adult literacy : 0% to 100% the value;
- rate of schooling: 0% to 100%;
- Real GDP per capita: 100 dollars PPA to 40,000 dollars PPA.
Each of these indicators is first expressed on a scale of 0 to 1. Thus, life expectancy at birth
in Costa Rica (76,6 years) is given the value:
0.86 = 76.6 - 25 : (85 - 25)
To the life expectancy in Saudi Arabia (70.3 years) is given the value:
0.755 = 70.3 - 25 : (85 - 25)
The same calculation is done for the indicator of level of instruction and for the indicator of
income level. In second stage, we work out the average of the three figures thus obtained. We
thus get the composite index of human development. We end up with an HDI of 0.889 for
Costa Rica and 0.774 for Saudi Arabia. By this means, it is possible to operateranking of all
the countries.
Francisco Vergara
1996–1997 Statistics
142
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